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Presumed tuberculosis case reported on USF campus
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Published: February 10, 2012
Updated: 02/10/2012 09:38 am
TAMPA - A presumed case of tuberculosis involving student at the University of South Florida's campus was reported to the Hillsborough County Health Department this week.
The student is being treated with anti-TB medicine and is recovering in isolation, according to a health department news release.
The university and health department notified about 150 people who might have been at risk of exposure to tuberculosis from the infected student. That group will be tested next week.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body. Although it can be fatal, infections can also remain dormant and go undetected for years.
Tuberculosis spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, talks or sneezes. Typically, only people who have had close, day-to-day contact with an infected person run the risk of contracting the disease.
"We are working closely with USF to ensure the health and safety of all students and employees, as well as members of the affected student's community," Jylmarie Lewis, manager of the county's tuberculosis center, said in a news release.
Students and employees of USF with additional questions may call the Student Health Services nurse line at (813) 974-1797. Nurses will be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 10 to 17.
If a student or employee not indentified/notified by the Health Department wants to be tested for TB, they may schedule an appointment at Student Health Services by calling (813) 974-2331. Student Health Services will charge for services rendered.
All other inquiries can be directed to the Health Department at (813) 307-8047.
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