Last week, Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) officials notified the management of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) of plans to investigate a case of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) identified in a team member of the facility in Hope Hull, Ala. ADPH and HMMA are working closely to ensure that the individuals potentially exposed are evaluated quickly.

TB is a treatable and preventable airborne disease. Persons who were in close contact with the case will be rapidly assessed and appropriate preventive measures taken, according to ADPH officials. Only those people who were in close contact with the case need to be tested.

“Testing and evaluation of individuals in close contact with the TB case will begin Tues., Aug. 30,” stated Pam Barrett, director of the Alabama Department of Public Health Tuberculosis Control Division.

“Close contact” is defined generally as spending an extended amount of time with the subject in a physically close environment.

“As with all identified cases of TB in Alabama, ADPH will implement precautionary testing, investigation and control measures,” stated Dr. Karen Landers, Assistant State Health Officer and Medical Consultant for TB Control.