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ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Buncombe County health officials are testing inmates and staff at the county jail for tuberculosis after an inmate developed the disease.
Health officials told local media outlets there is no serious threat to the public because of the one case.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Natalie Bailey said health officials are testing 64 inmates and more than 30 jail staff who may have had contact with the affected inmate.
Bailey said the sick man was placed in an isolation cell on Aug. 2. Officials confirmed he had tuberculosis on Aug. 8.
Sue Ellen Morrison with the county health department says it's too early to determine if anyone else has been infected. Morrison says the inmate's case is the third confirmed in the county this year.
The county also had three cases last year.
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