Amarillo Public Health investigating tuberculosis exposure at West Texas A&M

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Amarillo Public Health is investigating a tuberculosis exposure involving a person who spent time on the West Texas A&M University campus, officials said Sunday.

Health officials are working with WT to identify people who may have had prolonged or repeated close contact with the person while they were infectious. Those identified as potentially exposed will be contacted directly and given information about testing and follow-up procedures.

Officials said the entire university community does not need to be tested.

Tuberculosis is spread through the air when a person with active TB disease in the lungs coughs, speaks or sings. Health officials said transmission generally requires prolonged or repeated exposure in a shared indoor space.

It is not spread through handshakes, shared food or drinks, touching surfaces or brief casual contact, such as passing someone in a hallway or classroom.

“Amarillo Public Health is working closely with university officials to identify and notify anyone who may need testing,” APH Director Casie Stoughton said in a news release. “People who are identified as potentially exposed will receive specific instructions from Amarillo Public Health. Individuals who are not contacted generally do not need testing related to this exposure.”

Testing may include a blood test or skin test. Because it can take several weeks after exposure for a test to become positive, potentially exposed individuals will be asked to complete an initial test and another test about eight to 10 weeks after their last exposure.

A positive TB test does not necessarily mean someone has active disease or can spread it. People with latent TB infection do not have symptoms and cannot spread the disease, officials said.

Symptoms of active TB can include a cough lasting three weeks or longer, coughing up blood or sputum, chest pain, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, decreased appetite, fever, chills and night sweats.

Amarillo Public Health and WT will hold an information forum at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the WTAMU Alumni Banquet Hall. Students, faculty and staff can learn more about tuberculosis, the investigation and testing process and ask questions.

People contacted by Amarillo Public Health should follow the testing instructions they receive. Questions can be directed to APH at 806-378-6300, option 7, or tb@amarillo.gov.