The Hillsborough County Health Department is working hard to detect any new case of tuberculosis (TB) following a University of South Florida student was found with the condition.

The Health Department officials confirmed that the student with the illness has been placed in seclusion and given tuberculosis drug therapy.

However, the officials did not reveal the identity of the student due to federal privacy laws.

The university's Student Health Service has established a hotline, which answers questions about tuberculosis from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. The service will continue through February 17.

Around 150 people at the University of South Florida will be made to undergo tests for tuberculosis to detect any new case and prevent the illness from spreading further, The Tampa Bay Times reported.

The paper also said that the health department officials expect up to 10 per cent of those screened tuberculosis to test positive.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that generally affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs or speaks.