Posted at: 07/09/2009 9:20 PM
By: The Associated Press
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Officials say former inmate tests TB positive
PORTALES (AP) - New Mexico health officials are tracing a former inmate's steps through the Curry County Detention Center after he tested positive for tuberculosis July 1.
Curry County Manager Lance Pyle said the male inmate tested positive for infectious tuberculosis after transferring to another jail. The facility notified the state and Curry County of the discovery.
Health department spokesman Chris Minnick said the department immediately launched an investigation to determine who had contact with the inmate.
Minnick said Tuberculosis is contagious as long as the individual is not receiving treatment for the disease.
Pyle said the inmate was held in a pod and may have been in contact with about 100 people.
Pyle added the jail wasn't aware of the inmates condition because he didn't show any symptoms.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
