Department of Health to Test Individuals Exposed to Man with Tuberculosis
The New Mexico Department of Health has identified roughly 100 people in Curry County who may have been exposed to a man who tested positive for active, infectious tuberculosis (TB).
On Tuesday June 23rd and Wednesday, June 24th, the Department of Health will offer free screenings and evaluations to the individuals who were potentially exposed. The Department has been contacting individuals who require testing. The screenings and evaluations will take place at the Clovis Public Library North Annex, 701 N Main St. Testing hours are as follows:
- Tuesday, June 23rd
- 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 24th
- 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
“Typically, it takes hours of sharing airspace with an infected individual to become infected with tuberculosis. The Health Department has been in contact with the individuals in Curry County with the most significant exposure to the TB patient,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward, MPH. “The screenings and evaluations taking place at the library are only for the people who have been contacted by the Health Department. We understand people in the community may have questions and concerns, and we are asking them to call 1-833-796-8773.”
Tuberculosis is treatable and curable once the individual is given the correct antibiotics and the transmission risk subsides once this happens.
Tuberculosis is an airborne disease caused by germs that are spread through the air from person to person when an infectious person coughs, talks, laughs or sings.
There are two TB-related conditions: active infectious TB disease and non-contagious TB infection. Active infectious TB- disease is contagious and may be potentially transmitted to others.
The symptoms of active infectious TB disease include:
- A cough that does not go away
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats
- Anorexia
- Fever
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of active TB, please contact the New Mexico Department of Health at /,or at 1-833-796-8773. You can also contact your primary care doctor for an evaluation.
Media Contact
We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact Kenny Vigil at 505-841-5871 (Office) or 505-470-2290 (Mobile) with your questions.
Versión en Español
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El Departamento de Salud le Hará Pruebas a Individuos Expuestos a un Hombre con Tuberculosis