N.D. doctor may have exposed dozens to tuberculosis

FARGO (AP) — Sanford Health is trying to contact dozens of patients and employees who may have been exposed to active tuberculosis through a doctor who's been diagnosed with the illness.

The health system said Friday that the risk of infection is low but it will offer tests to 77 patients and 43 employees who came in contact with the doctor between July 1 and Aug. 16.

Sanford will attempt to contact all affected patients and employees within 72 hours. The North Dakota Department of Health is assisting.

Sanford says the doctor was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis but didn't provide more details.

Tuberculosis, or TB, is caused by a bacterium that often infects the lungs and can be fatal.

There were 11,540 cases in the U.S. in 2009, the lowest since the illness was first tracked in 1953.

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