
Earlier today, an email from the Office of Emergency Management was sent to campus community members stating Cameron County Public Health has confirmed a case of tuberculosis involving a UTRGV campus community member.

The individual is currently isolated and undergoing medical care.
According to the email, Cameron County Public Health is working on tracing the individuals who were in contact with the patient. The department is also working to share information with anyone who may also be exposed to the person.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, tuberculosis is an infectious disease that typically affects the lungs in the body. This can lead to two types of TB, inactive and active.
Inactive TB germs can live within the body without making the infected individual sick. The TB germs won’t harm the individual and cannot be spread.
Active TB germs cannot be stopped from spreading throughout the body, leading to the infected individual feeling sick. This type of TB can be spread and without proper treatment may lead to death.
The CDC states, TB is an infection contracted through air transmission, meaning coughing, sneezing and talking can lead to its spread to other individuals.
The Texas Health Department stated tuberculosis symptoms include persistent cough, fever, chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss and fatigue.
For more information on TB, consult your health care provider.