Tuberculosis Outbreak Confirmed in Perry County in Alabama

The Alabama Department of Public Health on Thursday confirmed at least 26 cases of tuberculosis in Marion, AL.

Of those 26, four of them are children and three adults have already died due to the disease.

The Perry County Health Department is the only center that is offering money to patients for complete screenings.

An article by Fox 6 WBRC stated,

Between Jan. 11 and Jan. 29, the Perry County Health Department will give $20 to anyone coming in to be screened for TB. It will then give another $20 for returning after three days to get the result. A third $20 will be given for keeping an appointment to get a chest X-ray, if one is recommended. And Barrett says another $100 will be given to a patient if it is recommended they take medication and treatment is completed.

According to WebMD, without treatment, active TB can cause serious complications, such as:

• Pockets or cavities that form in the lungs. These damaged areas may cause bleeding in the lungs or may become infected with other bacteria and form pockets of pus (abscesses).
• A hole that forms between nearby airways in the lungs.
• Difficulty breathing because of blocked airways.

If you think you have been exposed to someone with tuberculosis, you should contact your doctor or local health department about getting a TB skin test or blood test.