Phoenix Airline Passenger Tests Negative For TB

By Al Macias
Published: Tuesday, December 3, 2013 - 3:49pm

A passenger escorted off a U.S. Airways flight after he was suspected of having tuberculosis has tested negative for the disease. 

Local authorities were alerted Saturday by the Centers for Disease Control about man who might be infectious on a flight to Phoenix from Austin.

More tests were conducted in Phoenix. After getting the latest results, the CDC cleared the man to fly. Maricopa County Health spokesperson Jeanene Fowler explains what might have caused the initial alert.

"There’s a bacteria that looks like TB, a TB lookalike if you will, that is not infectious that this person could possible have. There’s still tests pending," Fowler said.

Fowler said the once the man was cleared, he continued on his trip and left Phoenix.