The Maine CDC is reporting three active cases of tuberculosis (TB) in the Greater Portland area.
According to the Portland Press Herald, a Maine CDC spokesperson says they are working to identify and screen anyone who came in contact with the three people with the disease.
All three cases were individually contracted.
Though the CDC has seen an increase in tuberculosis cases in Maine and across the nation in recent years, they say there is no current outbreak in the state.
Tuberculosis bacteria are spread into the air when a person with TB coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
TB bacteria in the lungs can move through the blood to infect other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Some symptoms include fever, chest pain, and a severe cough.
The CDC says the likelihood of transmission is low.
There have been 28 cases reported in the state between the start of the year and the end of July.
City and state officials told the Press Herald the rumors of an outbreak at the shelter for asylum seekers in Portland are untrue.
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