FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Arkansas State Department of Health and the University of Arkansas Health Center conducted tuberculosis screenings today (Friday) for 55 students and 12 staff who live and work on the third floor, D-wing, of Pomfret Hall.

"This is purely a precautionary measure for possible exposure to tuberculosis," said Mary Alice Serafini, director of the University Health Center. "Because the residents of this floor may have been exposed to tuberculosis, the State Department of Health has recommended that each person on the third floor be screened at this time. The University is fortunate to have the guidance and expertise of the state and county health departments to work with the Health Center and members of the University community."

Tuberculosis is an airborne germ that can be contagious but is also preventable, treatable and curable. It can be spread when someone with the active germ coughs it into the air breathed by another person.

The best way to know whether infection has occurred is by having a tuberculin skin test, according to the State Department of Health. If infection occurs, it usually is possible to prevent the active form of the disease through medication. Those who have only a positive skin test are not contagious. Early treatment of the active form of the disease results in a highly successful cure with return to good health.

As a precautionary measure, required tests were conducted on all residents and staff of third floor Pomfret Hall from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. today. The tests were administered in a private area of Pomfret Hall and will be read on Monday, Serafini said. Health Department and Health Center staff will be available from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday to read the tests.

Those residents and staff unable to be tested today are being asked to make arrangements for a more convenient time by calling the University Health Center at 575-7755. Delayed tests should be conducted no later than Wednesday, Oct. 14.

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