Disney: No risk to visitors from employee with TB

ORLANDO, Florida (CNN) -- There is no health risk to visitors to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, even though one employee -- a costumed character -- was diagnosed with active tuberculosis, a spokeswoman for the theme park said Thursday.

"The health department has said there's no risk to our visitors," said Diane Ledder, a Disney spokeswoman. No tests of visitors are planned, she added.

A spokeswoman at the Orange County Health Department confirmed that officials felt there is no health risk and no testing of visitors is warranted. A doctor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta said it is unlikely any visitors contracted the disease, noting the employee wore a character mask. Dr. Helene Gayle said transmission requires "prolonged contact" and said there is "no real cause for concern."

However, she said, parents who are concerned can contact their pediatrician.

ALSO WHO launches new bid to stop tuberculosis   QUICKVOTE Will the report of tuberculosis change your plans to visit Disney World? Yes - I'm worried about contracting the disease No - the risk is too small for me to worry View Results

Health department spokesman Bill Toth said Wednesday the victim, a woman in her 20s, is under medical treatment and has been moved to a separate apartment. She was diagnosed last Friday. He said her roommates and other friends who came in close contact with her, including several other Disney employees, are also being tested for the bacterial, airborne disease.

He stressed that no visitors to Disney World would have been in danger of contracting the disease.

"It takes prolonged, very close contact," Toth said. "They (costumed characters and visitors) all meet outside, so dilution of the outside air reduces the risk, and sunlight has ultraviolet properties which kill the bacteria."

Toth also pointed out that in portraying the character the woman wore a full head mask that also had another mask over the face inside it, reducing the risk of airborne droplets escaping.

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Orange County Florida Health Department
CDC: Division of Tuberculosis Elimination
American Lung Association:Tuberculosis
International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
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