Fort Bragg school worker may have TB

Health officials said they have contacted 18 people who might have been exposed to the contagious respiratory infection through close and prolonged contact with the Albritton Middle School employee between Jan. 1 and May 30.

“Through our patient contact investigation, we are confident we have a good list of possible contacts. There is no need to ... test the entire school population,” county health director Buck Wilson said in a statement.

Albritton Middle parents, teachers and staff who have questions regarding TB testing are advised to call the Health Department at 910-433-3638 weekdays.

Tuberculosis usually affects the lungs, and germs are transmitted when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Symptoms include a productive cough lasting longer than three weeks, unexplained fever, profuse sweating at night, appetite loss, unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, chest pain and excessive fatigue.

“TB generally develops over weeks to months and is completely curable if detected early and treated properly with medication,” Wilson said.