UPDATE: Health Alert Declared After TB Diagnosed in Central New Jersey

At least 36 people were to be tested this week after a case of pulmonary tuberculosis was recently discovered in Somerset County, according to authorities.

The identity of the individual who contracted the disease and that person’s condition have not been disclosed for privacy reasons, according to nj.com.

A health alert has been declared at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg after the person associated with the school was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis, according to Channel 11 WPIX-TV news. The school is cooperating with state law, according to the report.

Last Wednesday, a site investigation of places the person visited was conducted and 36 people were notified by email and certified letter after the diagnosis, according to nj.com. After the health alert was issued, the state began the testing.

TB can be fatal but is completely treatable, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The state Department of Health and the Somerset County Tuberculosis Program planned to conduct testing Tuesday morning in the school’s atrium, and officials were available to answer any questions about how to diagnosis, treat and prevent the spread of the TB, the report said.

The CDC says tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium that can attack any part of the body:

“The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.”