East Texas College Student has TB

COMMERCE � A student at Texas A&M University-Commerce has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. According to a news release from the school, Student Health Services at the school will provide screenings to some students. University officials say the individual is no longer on campus, and does not pose a continuing threat to the community. Some students, however, may be more at risk if they�ve been in contact with the infected individual for a prolonged time or in a confined space.

School officials say the university is working closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services to investigate and monitor the incident. �We�re notifying all the students, in addition to the faculty and staff that were in contact with the student,� said Maxine Mendoza-Welch, a physician�s assistant and Student Health Services manager. �We know which classes the student attended, and the student is no longer on campus.�

Those with a believed high risk of exposure are required to visit the Health Center on the Commerce campus Tuesday, April 19 for a free screening. No appointment is necessary. It was not immediately clear how many students will need to be screened. Students will be asked to return to Student Health Services on Thursday, April 21 for test results.

�This [testing of students] is mandatory,� said Dr. Tom Selvaggi with Live Oak Professional Center in Commerce. �There�s no reason for public hysteria. It�s the appropriate thing to do, and it�s the correct protocol to be followed to make sure that if someone has been exposed to it they get the appropriate treatment.” According to Dr. Selvaggi, the infected student was diagnosed at a heath facility in Dallas and the university was later informed by the Hunt County Health Department.