Health officials investigating tuberculosis case in Avery County; over 100 may have been exposed

AVERY COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Local and state health officials are investigating a confirmed case of tuberculosis (TB) in the Avery County community, with more than 100 people potentially exposed through close contact.

The Avery County Health Department, in partnership with the Toe River Health District and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), is working to notify and test those who may have been in contact with the person who has active TB.

According to the Toe River Health District, all individuals identified as having had close contact with the infected person have been contacted directly by a public health nurse or representatives from the Avery County School System. If you did not receive a call, you do not need to be tested.

Being exposed to someone with active TB doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get sick, according to officials with the Toe River Health District.

They said most people do not develop symptoms, but in rare cases, the bacteria can cause infection. The good news is that TB is treatable and curable, especially when caught early.

TB is a bacterial disease that most often affects the lungs. Symptoms of active TB include:

• A cough lasting more than 3 weeks
• Coughing up blood
• Fever
• Night sweats that soak bedding
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Chest pain or trouble breathing

For questions or concerns, call the Avery County Health Department at 828-737-6068.

Table of Contents

Toggle

MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM

Avery County

Avery County TB case: Over 100 potentially exposed

Blue Ridge Parkway partially reopens following Helene

Missing 11-year-old Avery County boy found: SO