CHARLOTTE, N.C. (NEWS RELEASE) — The Mecklenburg County Public Health Department is following up on a tuberculosis (TB) patient who stayed at the Urban Ministry Center’s Room in the Inn program for the homeless, and is providing skin tests to those known to have come into contact with the individual.
“We feel very confident that we have found everyone who may have come into contact with this individual over the course of several months this winter, but in an abundance of caution, we are making residents aware of this situation, the symptoms to look for, and how to report any suspect cases,” said Public Health Medical Director Stephen Keener.
On Tuesday, March 21, a homeless resident was seen at Public Health’s TB Clinic and was determined to be infected with TB. He had been diagnosed with TB and had begun treatment in another county, but wanted to continue treatment here. Public Health staff determined that he participated in the Urban Ministry’s Room in the Inn program located in several Mecklenburg County churches during the months of December, January and February while he was symptomatic. Public Health staff worked with the Urban Ministry Center to identify 117 people who may have been exposed to this patient. TB skin testing will occur for those individuals at Urban Ministry’s main location. Urban Ministry will be distributing letters to those individuals with information and instructions.
According the CDC, TB is a highly infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. You can only get TB from an infected individual by close contact with saliva or a wet cough. You cannot get TB from surfaces.
TB tests are available at the Beatties Ford Road Health Department at 2845 Beatties Ford Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday by appointment 8 a.m.-11a.m. and 1p.m.- 4 p.m. and on Friday 8 a.m.-11a.m. Please call the appointment line at 704-336-6500 to schedule an appointment.
