tuberculosis positive result CDC photo.jpg

This patient presented with a positive reaction to the 48-hour Mantoux test. The Mantoux skin test is given with a needle and syringe used to inject testing fluid, called tuberculin, between the layers of the skin (usually forearm). The injection site becomes hard (indurated), and red in a person who is infected with tuberculosis.

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Health officials in Perry County are offering cash incentives of up to $160 to encourage residents to get tested and treated for tuberculosis, in an effort to stop a deadly outbreak that emerged in 2014.

The tuberculosis infection rate in the town of Marion is 253 cases per 100,000 residents, compared to 2.5 for the rest of the state. Of the 26 diagnosed cases, 20 people live in Marion and 6 people are connected in some way to the town, said Pam Barrett, director of the division of tuberculosis control for the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Four children have been diagnosed with tuberculosis during the outbreak, and three people have died, according to a press release from the department of public health.

Barrett said the health department is offering incentives because tuberculosis patients have been reluctant to share their contacts with outbreak investigators, making it difficult to identify new cases and slow the spread of the disease.

"There is a huge stigma with TB in this community," Barrett said.

Between Jan. 11 and Jan. 29, people who take free tuberculosis tests in Perry County will be eligible for the following cash incentives:

$20 to take the T-SPOT tuberculosis test

Another $20 for patients who return three days later for results

$20 to get a chest X-ray if recommended

$100 to complete treatment for tuberculosis if required

The treatment for tuberculosis lasts a minimum of six months and involves the use of several drugs, Barrett said.