Alaska state health officials say they are responding to an increase in cases of confirmed and suspected tuberculosis in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region.

Officials with the Department of Health and Social Services say the cases have occurred in several villages in the region. The villages have not been identified.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease primarily affecting the lungs.

Officials recommend that people be screened for TB if they have been in contact with someone with the disease or people who have had TB and have not been screened in the past year.

Officials also recommend that people be screened if they have a persistent cough, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats or are coughing up blood.

The state plans to run its TB control program in throughout the region next month.