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Department of Public Health investigates case of tuberculosis identified in Auburn student

The Alabama Department of Public Health is investigating a case of pulmonary tuberculosis identified in an Auburn student.

The Department of Public Health notified the University on May 9, 2018, of the case. ADPH and Auburn University are working closely to ensure that students and employees who came in contact with the identified student are screened quickly, the department said in a news release.

ADPA and the local health department are communicating with the University to keep faculty, administration and students updated on the ongoing process of testing those who were in close proximity with the student who was infected with TB.

“We are working very closely with the university to develop and implement a screening plan. As with any identified case of TB in Alabama, ADPH will implement precautionary testing, investigation and control measures," said Dr. Burnestine Taylor, disease control and prevention medical officer with ADPH.

ADPH and university officials began May 9 immediately identifying students enrolled in classes, as well as faculty and staff, who might have been in close contact with the student. "Close contact” is defined generally as spending an extended amount of time with the subject in a physically close environment, ADPH said.

Those who were in contact with the individual were notified and testing begins Thursday, May 17. 

TB is a treatable and preventable disease.

Those who came in close contact with the student will be rapidly assessed and appropriate preventive measures taken, according to ADPH.

The Health Department recommends that only those who were in close contact with the student need to be tested.


Chip Brownlee | Editor-in-chief

Chip Brownlee, senior in journalism and political science, is the editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman.


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