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Vermont Health Department Finds Positive Results For TB

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The Vermont Health Department says seven children and one adult from the Charlotte Central School have tested positive for tuberculosis. None of those who tested positive are sick.

The positive tests results came after health workers tested 150 people who came in contact with an adult at the school who developed an active case of tuberculosis.

Vermont Epidemiologist Patsy Kelso says the people who tested positive will be treated for nine months with an antibiotic.

The Health Department plans to test about 260 more children and more positives are expected.

Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease that usually affects the lungs. It can be spread through the air when a person who is ill with TB coughs or sneezes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that in 2013 there were 9,582 TB cases reported nationwide.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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