Cayo Santiago

TB Testing

Mycobacterium tuberculosis can cause rapidly fatal pneumonia in rhesus macaques, and chronic pneumonia in humans. To work on or visit Cayo Santiago, you must provide original documentation of a negative PPD skin test or chest radiograph for tuberculosis to be within 6 months of the last day of your work on or visit to Cayo Santiago. Verify that you have not been previously vaccinated because exposure to the vaccine can result in a false-positive test outcome. If you had the tuberculosis vaccine, you will need to bring a report of a negative chest radiograph for tuberculosis. Tetanus toxoid inoculations within the past five years are recommended for all visitors to Cayo Santiago but this is not required. No other shots are advised.

The Caribbean Primate Research Center occupational safety and health program is conducted every 6 months by a registered nurse through the Medical Sciences Campus Occupational Health Clinic. The program includes TB testing for all employees of the CPRC.