Mecklenburg County Public Health and the NC Division of Public Health are investigating two potential cases of tuberculosis at UNC Charlotte, the county said Wednesday.
UNC Charlotte’s Student Health Center is working with the other health organizations to identify and screen students, faculty and staff who might have been exposed to tuberculosis.
The county stressed that tuberculosis is a treatable infection, and the risk to the general public – including students, faculty and staff at UNCC – is low.
“We are working with the NC Division of Public Health and partnering with UNC Charlotte to ensure appropriate management of this situation, to identify anyone who may have been exposed and to prevent further potential exposures in the community,” said Gibbie Harris, Mecklenburg County Public Health Director. “Tuberculosis is a treatable infection. We will ensure that all positive screenings are treated as needed to avoid future exposures.”
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection with symptoms that include: cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss and loss of appetite. It is spread through close contact with an infected person through coughing, sneezing or speaking.
Tuberculosis can damage the lungs or other parts of the body like the spine, lymph nodes or kidneys. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal – but it can be successfully treated with medication after diagnosis.
More information about tuberculosis is available here.
