The number of individuals identified as having positive tuberculosis (TB) skin tests has increased from 54 to 85, the Indiana State Department of Health confirmed today. These individuals are associated with a student who was confirmed with a case of TB. That student is currently isolated and responding well to treatment.
Additionally, one secondary suspect TB case with symptoms and abnormal chest x-ray has been identified; another individual with an abnormal chest x-ray without symptoms has been identified. The Indiana State Department of Health along with the Clark County and Floyd County health departments are working together in this investigation.
“The Indiana State Department of Health continues to investigate this situation and we want Hoosiers to know that we are offering testing to everyone who has been in close contact of the patient,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “We want to quickly identify anyone who may have been exposed so we can provide immediate, effective treatment to prevent infection.”
To date, 738 individuals have been tested during this investigation. Individuals who have positive skin tests do not have TB disease, but do receive antibiotic treatment so that symptoms do not develop and infection cannot be spread to others.
