Active Tuberculosis discovered at the University of Missouri

COLUMBIA, MO – A student from the University of Missouri left the campus voluntarily after being diagnosed with active TB, the MU Information Bureau said in a press release Monday.

MU officials are working with local health authorities to identify other people who need to be screened for the disease, the statement said.

"The student has been extremely cooperative with health officials on campus and at the local level," said Susan Even, director of the MU Student Health Center, in the release. "We will continue to provide all necessary assistance to the Columbia / Boone County Health Department and provide the community with periodic updates."

It was not clear when the student was diagnosed or when he or she left the campus.

People at high risk will be invited to get tested for TB on their campus or in the health department, the statement said. MU stated that he would not disclose any other information about the student or his condition due to federal privacy laws.

Active tuberculosis occurs when a person infected with the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis begins to exhibit symptoms of infection. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 5 to 10% of infected people progress to an active disease.

Health authorities indicate that more than 2 billion people worldwide may be infected, but the lowest infection rates are found in the United States, Canada, Japan, Western Europe, and Australia.

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