Case of tuberculosis confirmed at Village Christian Academy in Fayetteville

Health officials are investigating after a confirmed case of tuberculosis was reported at Village Christian Academy in Fayetteville.

According to the Department of Public Health, officials were notified Tuesday that a single person at the school had been diagnosed with the disease.

Law requires that any reported case of tuberculosis be investigated, health officials said.

Health officials said school administrators are working to notify parents, students and staff about the diagnosis and reach out to a specific group of people who may have been exposed.

“While it is important for students and staff to be aware of the situation, only a select group of people may have been exposed, and no one is at immediate risk of any health problems,” Interim Health Director Duane Holder said. “TB is a disease that generally develops over weeks to months, and it is completely curable with medications.”

Tuberculosis typically affects the lungs and can be spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. Symptoms include a cough that lasts for more than three weeks, unexplained fever, profuse sweating at night, appetite loss, unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, chest pain and excessive fatigue.

Those who may have been exposed will be able to receive a skin test for the disease on March 6 at Village Christian Academy at 908 S. McPherson Church Road.

Anybody with questions about tuberculosis testing should contact the Health Department at 910-433-3645.