SALISBURY, N.C. — Rowan County Public Health is investigating a confirmed case of tuberculosis involving a person within the Rowan-Salisbury School System.
Public health officials are working with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health and Rowan-Salisbury Schools to identify students and staff who may have had significant exposure to the person. Those individuals are being offered testing at no charge.
Officials said people identified as having close contact with the individual have been contacted by Rowan County Public Health or Rowan-Salisbury Schools. The county has not publicly identified whether the person with tuberculosis is a student or staff member.
Health officials said no action is needed for students, staff or families unless they are contacted by Rowan County Public Health and notified of a potential exposure.
Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, generally develops over a period of weeks to months and is treatable with medication. People identified as being at increased risk are being contacted for testing. Anyone who tests positive will receive additional testing and instructions aimed at preventing the development of active TB.
Officials said a potential exposure is not considered an emergency. People contacted about possible exposure should follow instructions from public health officials rather than visiting an emergency department or urgent care solely for TB testing.
Active TB most often affects the lungs. Symptoms may include a cough lasting longer than three weeks, coughing up blood, fever, heavy night sweats, unexplained weight loss, poor appetite, chest pain or discomfort and difficulty breathing.
Rowan County Public Health Director Alyssa Harris said the department is working with the school system and state public health officials to identify people who may have been significantly exposed and provide appropriate testing and follow-up.
Rowan County Public Health reported one active tuberculosis case in the county in 2024. Contact tracing from that case identified three people who had been exposed.
Residents seeking additional information about the current investigation may contact the Rowan County Public Health Tuberculosis Line at 704-216-8771.
