UTA Policy on Tuberculosis

• Students who have been exposed to a known tuberculosis (TB) source or are experiencing symptoms of the disease should consult a physician or UTA Health Services for a TB screening or chest x-ray as soon as possible. If a student has been exposed recently to TB, it is possible that a 90-day follow-up screening and/or chest x-ray may be recommended by a physician.
• Students who live in UTA Housing should reside off campus until cleared by a physician. Students will be individually responsible for making arrangements with their instructors for class-related issues, and with UTA Housing for off-campus residence issues.

FACULTY/STAFF (including new employees, student workers, teaching and research assistants, and temporary employees)

• Those who have been exposed to a known source of TB should remain off campus until cleared by a physician to return to work, unless approved for telecommuting. Those who have been exposed recently to TB may need a 90-day follow-up screening and/or chest x-ray.

PREPARATION AND TREATMENT

• UTA Health Services in conjunction with the Environmental Health and Safety Office have implemented preparation and control protocols should anyone with TB present for treatment or should a case arise on campus.
• UTA Health Services has coordinated with local and county healthcare officials and providers to assure that appropriate measures are implemented for treatment of individuals diagnosed with TB.
• UTA Housing Office has developed an emergency plan of action for possible isolation or quarantine should anyone residing in University housing be diagnosed with TB.

CONTROL STRATEGIES

• The University recommends that faculty/staff and students limit contact with known TB sources. Anyone suspecting they have been exposed to TB should consult a physician as soon as possible.
• A faculty/staff or student who has been exposed to a known TB source should not attend class, come to work, or attend a University event/function until diagnosis has been made and clearance given by a healthcare provider.

IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY

Nothing in this policy may be construed to impose liability upon the state, the State Department of Public Health, the County Health Departments, The University of Texas at Arlington or any officer of The University of Texas at Arlington for damages resulting from an infectious disease screening, monitoring, and/or treatment plan.

RELATED LINKS

• Centers for Disease Control
• World Health Organization
• UTA Policy concerning TB screening [UTA HS PDF]