While nobody should panic, Perry County is experiencing a tuberculosis outbreak that far exceeds that state average for infection.

Since last January, 26 cases have been tied to Perry County. Of those, 30 patients are from Marion, while four are from Tuscaloosa and two from Centreville.

Those sickened include four children. Unfortunately, three people have died from TB over the past year.

You might not think 26 cases sound like a lot, but that’s a huge number for a community the size of Marion. The numbers add up to a TB case rate of 253 per 100,000 residents in the town of Marion, which has a population of approximately 3,600. By comparison, the TB case rate for the entire state of Alabama last year was 2.5 per 100,000 residents.

It’s very important for people to go be screened, especially those who are at risk most. This includes anyone with a weakened immune system.

The Perry County Health Department is even offering cash incentives from people to come in and be tested.

Those include $20 for anyone who comes in for a TSPOT blood test and $20 for returning the get rest results.

Symptoms of TB include a cough that lasts for more than two weeks, shortness of breath, fever, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue.

Perry County is the local health department that will offer money to patients for tuberculosis screening and treatment.

Testing will be done on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Perry County Health Department on Washington Street.