Email Notification re: Tuberculosis (reposted here)
posted almost 12 years ago
| 7:43 AM  | | ||
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TO: The UMBC Campus Community
FR: Jennifer K. Lepus, Director of University Health Services
RE: Case of Tuberculosis on Campus
The university would like to notify the campus that a member of the UMBC community has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is an airborne disease, which typically affects the lungs and can cause a cough, chest pain, bloody sputum, weakness, weight loss, chills, fever and night sweats.
University Health Services has worked with The Baltimore County Department of Health to isolate the individual and initiate treatment. The university and the health department also are working to notify people who may have been in contact with this individual, so appropriate screening tests can be done.
It should be emphasized that tuberculosis is very difficult to contract through typical campus life. It is a respiratory illness that requires prolonged, sustained, close contact with an infected individual. It is important that campus members be aware of the very low potential for risk or danger to the health of any member of the community.
As with any other communicable disease of concern, The Baltimore County Department of Health is working closely with the patient and the university.
We will continue to investigate the situation and, as necessary, take swift and appropriate action to protect the health of the university community. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Jennifer K. Lepus, Director of University Health Services, at 410-455-2542 or Carol Campbell, at The Baltimore County Department of Health, at 410-887-2711.
