Alabama: Crew Members Who Served with Infected Shrimper Checked for TB

Crew members who served with a shrimper who had a highly infectious form of tuberculosis were tested for the disease when their boat docked Thursday in Bayou La Batre, Ala. Health department officials screened its four crew members, and none had an active form of the disease. They will undergo skin tests for the infection on Friday. Those on board the Capt. Christopher were exposed to TB by a crewmember later discovered to have larygngeal tuberculosis, considered to be one of the most infectious forms. Officials have tested 86 people with whom the shrimper came in contact during the eight months he was believed to be contagious. Of that group, 22 people have tested positive for TB infection, although they have not developed the disease.

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