State Department Of Health Conducting Tuberculosis Investigation In Southern Indiana

Last updated on Friday, June 12, 2015

(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana State Department of Health along with the Clark County and Floyd County health departments are investigating a confirmed case of tuberculosis (TB) in a student at Rock Creek Community Academy in Clark County.

The student who had active symptoms of TB, was diagnosed with TB on May 28 and tested positive. The student is currently isolated and responding well to treatment. 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 Clark County Health Department launched a contact investigation on May 29. Approximately 295 students and staff were tested on June 2, and 54 individuals--49 from the school and five church members in Floyd County were identified as having positive TB skin tests. The contact investigation has been expanded to all students and staff of the school, with nearly 300 additional individuals tested on June 8. Those results were gathered Wednesday. 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.

"Tuberculosis is a rare disease in the United States, but remains a serious illness and we have responded to this situation immediately," said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. "We are offering testing to everyone who has been a close contact of the patient in order to quickly identify any additional active infections so we can provide immediate effective treatment.

TB is an airborne disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. TB is spread through the air from one person to another. TB bacteria are released into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. TB is NOT spread by:

Shaking someone's hand
Sharing food or drink
Touching bed linens or toilet seats
Sharing toothbrushes
Kissing

"Tuberculosis can happen anywhere and to anyone, especially in our global society" said Dr. Adams. "The best way to stop TB is to rapidly identify those with active infections and provide them with the medical care they need to treat their infections." TB disease can be successfully treated by taking several drugs for six to nine months. It is extremely important to complete the entire course of medication as prescribed to keep from spreading the disease to others and to prevent development of resistance to the drugs.

For information about TB, individuals are encouraged to call the TB Services Hotline at (877) 826-0011. The hotline will be open during the normal Indiana State Department of Health business hours from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Visit the Indiana State Department of Health at www.StateHealth.in.gov. Follow the Indiana State Department of Health on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isdh1.

Hoosiers who do not have health care coverage or access to a doctor are encouraged to check availability for the new Healthy Indiana Plan--HIP 2.0--by visiting www.HIP.IN.gov or calling 1-877-GET-HIP-9.

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