A viewer e-mailed us wondering about a possible case of tuberculosis in the Pipestone area. The Minnesota Health Department confirms they are investigating a case of  TB, but would only say that it's in southwestern Minnesota.

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacteria that can attack any part of the body, but most often it affects the lungs. And that's what health officials think they have a case on their hands in Southwestern Minnesota. Doug Schultz with the Minnesota Department of Health says, "Our standard public health practice is that we now are identifying close contacts of this person to determine who may have been exposed."

TB can spread when someone who has an active case coughs, yells, sneezes or talks and others breathe in the bacteria. But experts say you must have prolonged contact.  Brief contact usually doesn't lead to infection. The world heard a lot about tuberculosis last year when a Georgia man got on a plane while infected with drug-resistant tuberculosis, putting others at risk.

During the last 10 years, South Dakota averaged 16 case of TB a year. During 2007, there were 13 cases reported. In Minnesota from January through March 31st of this year, there have been 44 reported cases. Regular tuberculosis can almost always be cured with medicine, but you must see a doctor.

The Minnesota Health Department was very hesitant to release any information about the person who's contracted TB. They did say people in the patient's close circle of friends are being tested for the illness.