\nJACKSON, Miss. (AP) \u2013 State health regulators confirm they\u2019re investigating two cases of tuberculosis affecting two casinos in Tunica County.<\/p>\n
\tThe Mississippi State Department of Health, in a news release Thursday, said the two cases involve at least one employee at each casino.<\/p>\n
\tTuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease that\u2019s curable and preventable. Dr. Thomas Dobbs, the state\u2019s epidemiologist, says there\u2019s no evidence to suggest that any casino patrons were exposed.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cNo individuals from the general public have been identified as close contacts, and we have absolutely no reason to believe there has been transmission to any of the casino patrons. In fact, because of ventilation systems in these facilities, a casino is one of the least likely locations for transmission through casual contact,\u201d Dobbs said.<\/p>\n
\tCaesars Entertainment Corp. spokesman Gary Thompson confirmed a case of TB was found in one of its table game dealers at Horseshoe Casino and Hotel. \u201cWhen the infection was identified, we immediately began working with the Mississippi State Department of Health and followed every protocol that today\u2019s medical professionals prescribe to treat known TB infections and discover and treat the spread of tuberculosis,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\tA spokeswoman for MGM Resorts International, which operates Gold Strike Casino Resort, would not confirm whether one of its employees was involved, but said the company was cooperating with the state\u2019s investigation.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThe safety and health of our employees is of our highest concern,\u201d said Mary Spain. \u201cWe are working closely with the state department (of health) to arrange testing.\u201d<\/p>\n