Health officials confirm case of tuberculosis at ISU

Idaho State University has confirmed one student has been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

ISU and the Southeastern Idaho Public Health department are working to notify other students who may have been exposed. The individual attended classes in Pocatello during the Fall 2012 semester.

The affected person was tested, and treatment has begun.

“Individuals who have had the most exposure to this TB case have been contacted with specific instructions to follow.” said Dr. Ron Solbrig of the ISU Student Health Center. “TB is unlikely to be spread through brief, casual contact with a person who has TB.”

Solbrig said a person can only get TB by breathing in tuberculosis germs that an infected person coughs into the air.

“You cannot get TB from someone’s clothes, drinking glass, eating utensils, handshake, toilet, or other surfaces where a TB patient has been,” Tobrig added.

Symptoms of active TB include more than three weeks of cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.

The disease is not uncommon in Idaho.Fifteen cases were diagnosed in the state during 2012.

Anyone with questions regarding testing and screening should contact Southeast Idaho Public Health at 234-5888.