Second case of tuberculosis hits VCU

The university has confirmed that another student was diagnosed with TB, the second student diagnosed in as many weeks.

October 3, 2013; 6:56 AM • by Nathan Cushing

VCU health officials have notified a select group of students that they may have been exposed to tuberculosis by an unwitting student, according to an e-mail alert the university sent out Tuesday night. VCU health officials diagnosed the student during a routine screening and have subsequently contacted select students who officials believe may have recently come into contact with that infected student. It’s unknown how many students VCU has notified. VCU officials said that students face a minor risk of infection.

Last week, VCU notified roughly 300 students that they faced possible exposure to the bacterial disease from a separate student. VCU maintains that the two tuberculosis cases are unrelated.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria that is often found in the lungs. Treatment for TB is typically successful, but often takes six-nine months. Some infections can take up to two years to treat. Here’s more on TB from WebMD.

A total of 9,945 cases were reported in the US in 2012–a rate of 3.2 cases per 100,000 people–according to the Center for Disease Control.

photo of Miliary tuberculosis by Yale Rosen

October 3, 2013 6:56 AM 0