by Krystal Paco

Guam - It's just not possible to do a mass tuberculosis screening of the over 700 prisoners and staff at the Department of Corrections.

This news from Department of Public Health TB program manager Cecilia Arciaga who says Public Health is working with DepCor to identify close contacts as well as gather PPD test histories.

Arciaga notes that even if one were exposed to active TB, it would take two to ten weeks to see a reaction in their skin test. She adds, "It's easier to catch a cold than it is TB."

As we reported on Tuesday, DepCor confirmed a pre-trial detainee at the Mangilao facility was diagnosed with active TB. The individual was admitted to the Guam Memorial Hospital late last month and remains under the watch of one corrections officer.