The Alabama Department of Public Health is working with Alabama State University to identify students and staff who may have been exposed to a person previously treated for tuberculosis. The person has relapsed with TB meaning that the person developed TB again after completing treatment.

Mantoux tuberculin skin test /CDC
Mantoux tuberculin skin test /CDC

While relapse of TB after treatment is not common, it can occur. This relapse was determined due to the patient continuing close follow-up with the ADPH after the patient finished therapy.

“We have only one person diagnosed with TB who has been on the Alabama State University campus,” stated Dr. Karen Landers, Assistant State Health Officer and Medical Consultant for TB. “As part of our TB Control Program, the ADPH will determine whether persons exposed to the patient with TB have been infected with the TB germ. We will provide preventive TB medication and follow-up for any infected persons.”

Testing of exposed students will begin Thursday, April 9, at 8 a.m. at ASU.