Public Health Department Investigating Tuberculosis Exposure in Public School

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Cumberland County Department of Public Health is investigating a confirmed case of tuberculosis (TB) involving a person at Seventy-First High School, located at 6764 Raeford Road, Fayetteville. Cumberland County Public Health was notified of the confirmed case Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, and is required by law to investigate.

Cumberland County Public Health is working with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health and Cumberland County Schools to identify individuals who may have been exposed to TB.

Cumberland County Public Health, in coordination with Cumberland County Schools, is notifying individuals identified as possible close contacts and providing information about recommended tuberculosis screening. During the investigation, the County Health Department identified more than 260 individuals who may have had close contact with the infected individual. All people who have had close contact with the individual have been contacted by a public health nurse from the County Health Department or Cumberland County Schools.

Active TB is a disease that most often affects the lungs. People who are sick with TB often have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Cough lasting more than three weeks

• Coughing up blood

• Fever

• Profuse sweating at night, often soaking bed sheets

• Unintentional weight loss

• Poor appetite

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Difficulty breathing

For more information, residents may contact the Cumberland County Department of Public Health at 910-433-3600 or visit cumberlandcountync.gov/health.

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