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After student diagnosed, 12 more cases of TB reported in Marion County

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — The Marion County Health Department is investigating 12 more cases of tuberculosis.

In August, Channel 9 reported a student at North Marion High School tested positive for TB.

A published report now confirms 12 more positive tests for TB among those who came in contact with the student.

In the report, the county health department said family members and friends as well as classmates and teachers from both the high school and North Marion Middle School tested positive.

"This is not a situation to ignore," Kevin Christian of Marion County Schools said in August. "But at the same time, it's not a situation to panic for."

Health department officials insist the new patients are not contagious.

Among the 170 or so who came in close contact with the infected student, 28 still need to be tested.