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Last updated on Thursday, October 29, 2015
(TELL CITY) - Waupaca Foundry confirms one of its employees has active tuberculosis disease.
The company said the employee is currently on medical leave and receiving treatment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium. It is spread through the air from one person to another.
Health officials say TB screenings are being conducted among employees who were in direct contact with the individual.
We're told the family of the employee is also being tested.
HIPPA regulations prevent officials from releasing the name of the employee.
"This is more than a Waupaca Foundry issue, it's a community issue," said Gary Greubel, Human Resources Manager. "We are focused on following the directives of the county health department as are other organizations in the county."
According to William Marcrum, M.D., the Perry County health officer, active cases of TB are rare.
"I've been in practice for 25 years and this is the first active case of TB I've run across," he said.
"This is not easily contracted and is not nearly as contagious as the flu. For example, it's unlikely you would get TB because you are sharing the same room," Marcrum said.
A fact sheet and other information about tuberculosis is available on the CDC website.
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