University of the Pacific tells campus community about TB case, offers testing

University of the Pacific has confirmed one case of tuberculosis on its Stockton campus. The person identified is under appropriate medical treatment and will remain off campus until medically cleared.

"The health and safety of everyone at Pacific and the surrounding community are our top priority," said Dayna Cerruti-Barbero, director of Pacific Health Services. "There is no need to be alarmed. By now, everyone on the Stockton campus, starting with the people who may have had close contact with the person, has been notified and offered screening for tuberculosis. If an individual has not been notified by the university as having a risk of exposure, there is nothing they need to do."

According to the American Lung Association, TB is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually takes repeated and prolonged exposure in confined spaces for infections to occur. It is spread when a person with active TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, talks or sings.

The university is offering free testing to students, faculty and staff in the Pacific community with a risk of exposure. A simple skin test can determine if a person has TB, and TB is easily treated with common antibiotics.

To ensure the Pacific community is educated on the disease, how it is spread and how easily it can be treated, the university created a video, which was shared with students, faculty and staff in a campus announcement.

For more information about TB, visit the American Lung Association website.

Media contacts:
Deidra Powell  | 209.946.2313 (Office) | 916.534.6559 (Cell) | dpowell@pacific.edu
Keith Michaud | 209.946.3275 (Office) | 209.470.3206 (Cell) | kmichaud@pacific.edu