Health workers check tuberculosis at North Carolina school

DURHAM, N.C. – Health officials in North Carolina are monitoring more than 260 students and faculty members for tuberculosis at a high school after a student was diagnosed last week.

Durham Public Schools spokesman William Sudderth told local media the students and staff at Northern High School are being watched because of the confirmed case.

Durham County Health Department medical director Arlena Sena says the respiratory disease is very contagious but also very treatable.

Duke University tuberculosis expert Tony Moody said the disease can up to a month for symptoms to emerge. Moody says anyone with a persistent cough for more than two weeks who suffers from fevers and weight loss should seek medical attention.

A student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill was also diagnosed with the disease last week.