PARKE COUNTY, Ind. – The Parke County Health Department is investigating a case of tuberculosis.
Officials say that at this time there is no risk of exposure to the public, and no additional cases have been identified.
The health department said they will continue to contact people if they believe they have come in contact with the disease.
TB is a disease that spreads from person to person through the air and usually affects the lungs.
Parke County Board Of Health Facebook post below:
The Parke County Health Department has been working closely with the Indiana State Department of Health to investigate a case of tuberculosis in the county.
As is routine in such investigations, the Parke County Health Department has been in contact with individuals who may have been exposed to arrange for them to be tested. At this time, there is no risk of exposure to the public, and no additional cases have been identified.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. It usually affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. TB germs are released into the air when a person with TB disease coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. Anyone who breathes in the air containing the TB germs can become infected. Although it is airborne, TB is difficult to transmit and usually requires prolonged or repeated exposures unless a person has a weakened immune system. TB cannot be spread on surfaces such as a table, desk, handrail or athletic equipment or by handshakes, sharing of eating utensils, or food.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled a fact sheet about TB that answers many questions about it. You can find it at this link: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/general/tb.pdf
This is an ongoing investigation, and individuals who may need to be tested will continue to be contacted as needed.
CDC.GOV