Three active TB cases found, one in inmate

WHITESBURG, Ky. - Health officials in Letcher County say three active tuberculosis cases have been found, one of them in a jail inmate.

An official of the Kentucky River District Health Department told WYMT-TV  in Hazard that the cases are all related and that they are contained. While only one case involved an inmate, all inmates and jail staff have been tested and will be retested in eight weeks.

Health education director Renee Neace said the respiratory disease is spread through sneezing and coughing and is more difficult to spread than is commonly believed. The other two people who tested positive are on medication and are no longer contagious. The inmate is in a hospital.

Letcher County Jail officials declined comment.