Tuberculosis cases are on the rise in Arkansas, reaching their highest point in over a decade, the Arkansas Department of Health announced Friday morning.Offici

State health officials warned Friday of a rise in tuberculosis in the state among both adults and children, saying the total number of cases this year has already topped 100, the first time the state has recorded that many in 15 years.

ADH said that, in Arkansas, TB disproportionally affects African Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics and that those most at risk of complications are babies, young children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.

Officials clarified that tuberculosis disease can be fatal if not treated properly. Officials continued that in Arkansas, tuberculosis disproportionally affects African Americans,

Health officials say that these symptoms can be seen in various diseases, so they can often be misdiagnosed as recurring pneumonia or bronchitis.