After the first confirmed case of TB) in KAIST in May, the KAIST Clinic has been working closely with Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and Yuseong Public Health Center to provide epidemiological testing. These tests are comprised of a variety of methods to screen TB, such as X-ray, blood tests, and skin tests. A KAIST official attributed the outbreak of TB to the higher percentage of students’ residing in dormitories in comparison to other universities.

Over 1,600 students were required to undergo epidemiological testing after the first confirmed TB patient, 10 of whom were tested positive. Furthermore, out of over 670 students who were in proximity to the first patient, 92 were tested positive for latent TB. Among the 11 who tested positive, one took a leave of absence and the rest were cleared to continue the school semester, albeit under treatment.

KAIST has been rigorously following protocols set forth by the KCDC. Those who were in contact with positive TB patients were urged to undergo epidemiological investigations. Under the Korean law, those who fail to report for these investigations for whatever reason may be fined up to 2 million Korean Won.

On October 31, the KAIST Clinic assured students in a frequently asked questions (FAQ) thread posted on the clinic website that latent TB is not responsible for disease propagation, and that the 92 patients diagnosed with latent TB take no part in spreading TB to the KAIST populace. This diagnosis was made by the KAIST Clinic, in accordance with doctors of higher level medical institutions, clearing these patients fit to be enrolled in school. Currently, patients with latent TB are also undergoing regular treatment at the KAIST Clinic located in the Pappalardo Center (E21). Patients with regular TB who had undergone two weeks of medication also do not propagate TB to other students.

Many students are generally wary about the number of TB occurrences that happened in KAIST. Previously, only two to three students were tested positive for TB in a given year. However, as TB occurs in one every 1,000 people in Korea, it is not a staggering statistical outlier as there are 11 cases out of a combined student and faculty body of 12,000. While higher than previous years, the KAIST Clinic stated that this year’s outbreak did not deviate from nationwide norms.

Although the likelihood of TB infection is low, the severity and consequence of TB are extremely high, as it is a considered to be a lethal disease. Consequently, in the event that a student shows symptoms of TB for more than two weeks, the KAIST Clinic urges that the student seek medical attention immediately, either to the Pappalardo Center or to the nearest hospital.