Amarillo Public Health is working with West Texas A&M University after identifying an individual with tuberculosis, who spent time on the WT campus. APH has begun a contact investigation to identify individuals who may have had prolonged or repeated close contact with the person while they were infectious. APH will contact individuals identified as potentially exposed and provide information about TB testing and follow-up procedures.
There is no need for the entire university community to be tested for TB. TB is not spread as easily as illnesses such as the common cold, influenza, or COVID-19. It is spread through the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs coughs, speaks, or sings. Transmission generally requires prolonged or repeated exposure in a shared indoor space. TB is not spread by shaking hands, sharing food or drinks, touching surfaces, or casual contact such as briefly passing someone in a hallway or classroom.