Perry County Health Department to provide test results and preventive therapy to those testing positive for TB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Pam Barrett
(334) 467-8208
[email protected]

CONTACT: Karen Landers, M.D., F.A.A.P.
(256) 246-1714
[email protected]

The Alabama Department of Public Health is working to stop a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in Perry County and will provide preventive therapy to people found to be positive for the disease. 

Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Karen Landers said, “We are very pleased with the public response to control this dangerous disease. The support by the local community in getting this important health information out to the public has been outstanding, including participation by community leaders in a town hall meeting last night.”

On Monday, Jan. 11, 279 individuals were screened for TB and on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 250 individuals were screened. Twenty-six people who were screened Monday tested positive for the TB germ and are being given their test results when they come in on Friday, Jan. 15. The patients with positive TB tests will now be checked to see if they have any signs of TB on a chest X-ray.

Due to the number of patients being tested for TB, the health department expects results from the tests to take about 5 to 7 days. All patients are being given a date to return for their results at the time they are tested.

TB screening will continue to be conducted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. (Jan. 20, Jan. 22, Jan. 25, Jan. 27 and Jan. 29) Screenings will not be conducted on the holiday Monday, Jan. 18.

To encourage screening and follow-up, through Jan. 29 the Perry County Health Department will pay

• $20 to anyone coming in to be screened for TB by the TSPOT blood test.

• Another $20 for returning after three days to get the result.

• A third $20 for keeping an appointment to get a chest X-ray if it is recommended.

• An additional $100 to a patient if it is recommended that he or she take medication and treatment is completed.

Because of the high rate of TB infection in Perry County, that is the only local health department offering money to patients for TB screening and treatment. Symptoms of TB include cough lasting more than two weeks, shortness of breath, fever, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue. A person may be infected with the TB germ and have no symptoms. Fortunately, patients can be treated preventively before becoming ill.

The Perry County Health Department is located at 1748 S. Washington St., Marion. All services are confidential and are provided at no charge. No appointment is needed for this service.

For further information or questions, please contact Pam Barrett, Director, Division of TB Control, at (334) 467-8208, or [email protected].