State and metro health officials are looking into a case of tuberculosis. Tests have been conducted on those who have been in contact with the person. Health officials say this is a low-risk case.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is working with the Douglas County Health Department and the Sarpy/Cass Department of Health and Wellness to investigate the case of an adult who has active tuberculosis and to do follow-up on those who have had extended exposure to that person.

“People who had extended, close exposure to the individual will be tested for TB and will be given preventive treatment if their tests are positive,” said Dr. Joann Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Division of Public Health. Ten co-workers of the individual were tested and the results were negative.

Anyone can get TB but people who are especially at risk are members of the same household as an active case of the disease. The greater the degree of personal contact, the greater the risk of becoming infected with the disease.

“We are bringing this to people’s attention because, although it is a low risk, people may hear about it in the community and we want to reassure them,” she said.

TB is spread through things like coughing although most organizaitons say you must have prolonged contact with the infected person.

Associate professor Tody Schonfeld teaches at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and deals with questions of when one person's health becomes a public concern and how much information should be released.

She says there are both regulations, in terms of state and federal law as well as hospital policies, that enable us to ensure patient information is kept confidential between the patient and the health care providers."

In Nebraska's most recent TB case, that is happening.

Schonfeld explains there are many reasons for not giving more information about this infected person even though he or she could be walking among us. The main one is that a loss of trust could lead to a bigger public health risk.

Schonfeld says, "In a case of contagious disease, it's really important that patients seek treatment when they have something that could affect the public and if they're worried about their information won't remain private, that the information about themselves or the disease will get out, then they're less likely to seek out treatment in the first place or be open with providers when they go to see them."

Symptoms of tuberculosis include: a bad cough that lasts more than three weeks; pain in the chest; fatigue and weight loss.