HEALTH DEPARTMENT: 5 Dothan clubs linked to tuberculosis

DOTHAN, Al. (WTVY) Could you have tuberculosis and not even know it?

courtesy: MGN Online

If you went to some nightclubs in Dothan, during the past two years, you may have been exposed.

This is according to, The Alabama Department of Public Health.

TB is an infection that spreads through the air.

"Coughing, sneezing, talking, things like that."

According to the health department, people who drank or ate at The Blue Bar, Chill Lounge, Club Escape, The G-Spot and Imani Lounge-Bar are at risk.

TB program manager, Susan Wiggins tells us barhopping spreads the infection from place to place.

She says,
"This is all based on accounts from our patients, places they have been."

I asked,
"So there could be more?"

She replied,
"Yes, there could be more."

So, they want you to get checked.

Tuesday from 8-3 you can get a free tuberculosis test and this is their way of making sure it won't spread to others.

If you do have the infection, it could turn into a disease, if not treated.

"It could be that there are other cases that we don’t even know about, people can be infected for years and not even know it."

The blood test is free and the health department will give you a $20 dollar gift card, if you're among the first 300 people who come get tested.

We did hear from the owner of Chill Lounge, Sakir Dogruogullari says TB can be contracted anywhere and he feels like his club was unfairly targeted.

He adds that his bar takes things seriously and has cooperated with the health department.
He also feels minority owned business were targeted.

As for the health department, they tell us the reason the five clubs were chosen, is because all the people who tested positive said they have been to one or more of those clubs.