Staff Writer

10:37 AM EST, February 24, 2010


GREENSBORO, N.C. - A UNCG student has been diagnosed with what appears to be tuberculosis, the Guilford County Health Department announced Wednesday.

According to the health department, the student was diagnosed with signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis late last week at UNCG Student Health Services. The student was transferred to a hospital, which found further evidence of TB.

"We're one flight away from any part of the world and this individual comes from a different part of the world where tuberculosis is not at a historic low." said Dr. Ward Robinson with the Guilford County Health Department.

The health department said the student is responding to antibiotics and may return to school once he or she is no longer contagious.

The student and the university are now trying to identify and test others who may have come in contact with the possibly infected student. Those people include residents living in the same dormitory and other students and faculty in the same classes as the student.

"When I got back to the room there was this note left on my door that said I have to be in the dorm on Friday, 8:00 to 8:00 to get a tuberculosis skin test." said UNCG student Megan Pope, who lives in the Phillips Hawkins Residence Hall where the student with TB symptoms also lives.

The health department said approximately 600 people have been identified as being at risk of acquiring TB. All of them will receive a TB skin test at no cost. Those with positive results will be offered free antibiotics.

The school and the health department have scheduled a news conference for Wednesday afternoon to discuss the issue. UNCG health officials say it is the first case of TB on campus in more than a decade.

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