A case of active pulmonary tuberculosis has been identified in a Troy University student enrolled on the main Troy campus.

Pam Barrett, director of the Alabama Department of Public Health Tuberculosis Control Division, and Herbert Reeves, Troy University Dean of Students, held a new conference Thursday afternoon to inform university students and employees that an active case of pulmonary tuberculosis has been identified in an off-campus student.

Barrett said tuberculosis is an airborne disease that can spread quickly when an active case coughs, speaks or sings in a small, enclosed space with other people.

“General sign and symptoms of tuberculosis include a lingering cough of more than two weeks, shortness of breath, fever, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue,” Barrett said.

Students in classes with the affected student and faculty members could be exposed, she said.

Troy University moved quickly to identify and notify students enrolled in classes with the infected student and faculty and staff members who could have been in close contact with the student. Close contact means in an enclosed area for several hours.

“You cannot be exposed to TB by passing an infected person in the hallway or in an open area,” Barrett said.

Reeves said students and faculty members were being notified via email Thursday.

Those who receive the group notification are strongly encouraged to be tested for pulmonary tuberculosis. Testing for those who received notification will be available at no cost from 9 a.m. until noon Tuesday, October 24 at the Trojan Center Room 224.

Testing of the notification group is confidential. The university will not be notified of any test results.

Barrett said those who are not notified do not need to be tested. However, those who desire to be tested for their own peace of mind should contact their family physicians.

Tuberculosis is preventable and is curable with treatment.