Camden County Resident Diagnosed with Active Tuberculosis

Camden County, Recent Jersey, health officials are investigating a case of active tuberculosis (TB) in a local resident. The individual, who presented to a hospital on February 12, 2026, with symptoms consistent with TB, is currently isolated and receiving treatment.

Diagnosis and Initial Response

Laboratory results confirmed the active TB diagnosis on February 17, 2026. The resident was immediately placed under isolation precautions at the hospital and began treatment on February 19, 2026, according to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services. Household members are currently being tested for TB, and, as of now, none have exhibited symptoms associated with the disease.

Investigation and Contact Tracing

Commissioner Jennifer Cooley Fleisher, liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services, stated that the investigation is ongoing and officials are actively collaborating with the New Jersey Department of Health to identify potential exposures. “This is a continuing investigation, and we are actively working… to identify individuals who may have been exposed,” she said.

Understanding Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which spreads through the air from person to person. While TB commonly affects the lungs, it can also impact other parts of the body, including the brain, kidneys, and spine.

Symptoms of Active TB

• A bad cough lasting three weeks or more
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood or phlegm
• Weakness or fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Chills
• Fever
• Night sweats

Symptoms of active TB in other parts of the body can vary depending on the affected area. For example, TB disease of the lymph nodes may cause a firm, red, or purple swelling under the skin.

TB Trends in the U.S.

While TB is not considered a widespread threat in the United States, recent data indicates a slight increase in cases. In 2024, 10,347 TB cases were reported nationwide, an 8% increase compared to the previous year [1]. Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia experienced increases in TB case counts and rates from 2023 to 2024.

New Jersey reported 343 cases in 2023 and 342 in 2024. Whereas the state did not see an increase in cases, it has a higher TB incidence rate than the national average – 3.6 cases per 100,000 people compared to the national rate of 3 cases per 100,000 [3].

Latent vs. Active TB

It’s important to note that not everyone infected with TB develops active disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that up to 13 million people in the U.S. Have latent TB infection. While individuals with latent TB don’t feel sick and can’t spread the disease, there’s a 1 in 10 lifetime risk of developing active TB if left untreated.

Prevention and Treatment

The World Health Organization and CDC recommend testing and treatment for individuals at risk of TB infection. While a TB vaccine exists, it is not routinely recommended in the U.S. Due to the low risk of severe disease. The CDC advises that vaccination should only be considered for individuals who meet specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert [3].

For more information about TB and to assess individual risk factors, visit the CDC website.