Tuberculosis case surfaces
A suspected incidence of tuberculosis has surfaced in the past few weeks within the RPI community. According to Medical Director Leslie Lawrence, the case was first reported on September 7. The situation was disclosed to the general campus in a September 12 e-mail from William Walker, vice president for strategic communications and external relations.
Lawrence emphasized that the case is still not confirmed; final test results have not yet returned. He noted, however, that all the preliminary tests have come back positive, including chest x-rays, a chest CAT scan, and DNA tests on bronchial washings.
Lawrence said, however, that there is no cause for alarm. Further tests on the bronchial washings indicated that the scope of the infection was small and was therefore unlikely to spread. Furthermore, according to Walker’s e-mail, the victim was an off-campus student, thereby limiting the exposure to other community members. Even so, the Student Health Center followed up with possible close contacts of the victim on September 14; taking these steps even before final test results come back on the initial infection will hopefully minimize the possibility of further contamination.
Drifter threatens former first lady
Authorities say that a homeless drifter used an RPI computer to send threatening messages to a member of President Bush’s family. Stephen G. Dees, Sr., 56, reportedly sent former first lady Barbara Bush a threatening e-mail, accusing her of wire fraud and industrial sabotage and suggesting that he would like to physically harm her.
Institute spokesman Jason Gorss declined to comment; however, he did note that Secret Service agents visited RPI while investigating the issue.
Dees is currently being held on a felony charge without bond.
