Department of Public Health to test potential exposed individuals for Tuberculosis Published June 23, 2015 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The New Mexico Department of Health has identified roughly 100 people in Curry County who may have been exposed to a man who tested positive for active, infectious tuberculosis. Several high-risk areas of exposure have been identified by the department during October 2014 through April 2015: -Clovis Community Choir -The Lions Club -A class at Clovis Community College (all students in the class have been notified) Potentially exposed individuals have already been identified and contacted; however, you may contact the Clovis Public Health department or attend the Department of Health’s free screening and evaluation on June 24 for individuals who were potentially exposed or believe they may have been exposed. Wednesday, June 24 Clovis Public Library North Annex, 701 North Main Street 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. “Typically, it takes hours of sharing airspace with an infected individual to become infected with tuberculosis,” said Retta Ward, Department of Health Cabinet Secretary MPH. “The Health Department has been in contact with the individuals in Curry County with the most significant exposure to the TB patient.”.” Tuberculosis is treatable and curable once the individual is given the correct antibiotics and the transmission risk subsides once this happens. Tuberculosis is an airborne disease caused by germs that are spread through the air from person to person when an infectious person coughs, talks, laughs or sings. There are two TB-related conditions: active infectious TB disease and non-contagious TB infection. Active infectious TB disease is contagious and may be potentially transmitted to others. The symptoms of active infectious TB disease include: - A cough that does not go away - Unexplained weight loss - Night sweats - Anorexia - Fever If you have any questions regarding your exposure potential, please contact the Clovis Public Health Department at 575-763-5583. If you believe you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of active TB, please seek medical attention. For guidance, contact your primary care doctor at 575-784-2778. For general questions about TB, please call the Cannon Public Health Office at 575-784-1770/0518.