Tuberculosis bacteria found in more employees at Zuid-Holland food company Maître
Health authorities have confirmed that additional employees at the Maître meal supplier in Oude-Tonge, Goeree-Overflakkee, have tested positive for tuberculosis (TB), although no new cases of open TB have been found. This follows a previous report earlier this month about the initial outbreak at the facility.
The GGD (Public Health Service) tested 156 employees, revealing that 85 had been exposed to the TB bacteria, though none showed symptoms or were contagious. These individuals underwent further blood tests and chest X-rays, which confirmed they do not have the infectious form of TB. They will receive follow-up appointments to discuss their results and potential treatment.
The outbreak began in late 2024 when two employees at Maître were diagnosed with open TB, the contagious form of the disease. In response, the GGD tested 156 workers with skin tests, which indicated exposure to the bacteria in 85 employees. However, no new cases of open TB were found.
The source of the infections at Maître has been reportedly traced to an employee who has worked at the company for a long time. This individual likely passed the bacteria on to colleagues during their time at the company.
The individuals who tested positive for the TB bacteria will undergo a course of antibiotics as a precautionary measure to prevent the bacteria from developing into open TB, which is contagious. A bacterial infection can take as long as eight weeks to develop into the disease. As a result, some employees will need to be tested again in mid-March.
The GGD said, “There is no outbreak of tuberculosis.” They also emphasized, “At the Oude-Tonge location, soups, sauces, and fresh meals are prepared. Tuberculosis is not transmitted through food, drink, or contact, including through handrails or equipment. There is no risk to the food safety of the products made at Maître.”
The Van Loon Group, owner of Maître in Oude-Tonge, responded: "We are relieved. We take our duty of care very seriously, and the health of our employees and a safe working environment are a top priority."
According to the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs and is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, fatigue, and unintended weight loss. If left untreated, TB can lead to severe lung damage and even be fatal. However, it is treatable with a lengthy course of antibiotics.
In response to the testing, the GGD is modifying its approach. Instead of continuing with the skin tests, which had yielded unreliable results, a blood test will now be used to examine all employees who worked at Maître until June of last year. The exact number of individuals who will undergo testing is still being determined.
The shift to blood tests comes after concerns that the skin tests provided false positives, particularly for employees from Eastern Europe, where TB is more prevalent. Some of these workers may have been vaccinated or previously infected with TB, resulting in antibodies that skewed the results of the skin test. The GGD explained, “This can cause false positive results in individuals who may carry antibodies from past infections or vaccinations.”
