Alabama: Eight More Test Positive for TB Exposure, Face X-Rays

In Mobile, Ala., eight people who earlier tested negative for TB exposure were found to be positive this week in the second round of examinations since a Spring Hill College student died from the disease. All eight had tested negative in January. The change indicates that they probably contracted the germ from Benjamin Lenjo, a Kenyan graduate student who died in his dormitory room on Dec. 28. The eight now face chest X-rays to test for signs of active tuberculosis. Fifty-five people tested positive in the January testing. Chest X-rays for that group showed no signs of the full-blown condition, and 27 of them are involved in a preventive treatment program. Mobile County Health Department officials examined 143 students, faculty, staff and community members a second time on Friday because they were classified as either "high" or "moderate" risk.

Back to other CDC news for March 13, 2002

Previous Updates | Search the CDC archive