Omaha area health officials investigating string of TB cases

Health officials in eastern Nebraska say they’re investigating a string of tuberculosis cases in the Omaha area.

The Douglas County Health Department said Wednesday that 13 people have tested positive for latent tuberculosis, and one child has a confirmed active case of the lung infection, television station KETV reported. The department says it has tested 31 people since December, when it learned a person from out-of-state staying with family was diagnosed with the disease.

Tuberculosis is slow to develop, and it can take up to 10 weeks before a person who has been exposed tests positive for the infection. Common symptoms include unexplained rapid weight loss, profuse coughing, night sweats and fever. It is treated with a course of antimicrobial drugs.