Two new cases of tuberculosis at Lilburn Middle School have prompted public health officials to schedule testing for the entire campus.
Gwinnett County Public Schools officials said Thursday that nearly 1,000 students at the school will need to be screened for TB when they return from spring break. A letter was sent home to parents alerting them about the health concern. Some students who were tested before will need retests.
The East Metro Health District asked that the free TB screenings be expanded to include seventh- and eighth-graders after more students and faculty began testing positive for the disease. A total of four students have evidence of TB in their chests. At least 50 students and faculty have tested positive for TB exposure and have been referred for chest X-rays.
“We are not considering this an outbreak at this moment, our investigation is still ongoing” said Suleima Salgado, a spokeswoman for the health district. “Right now, we are taking precautionary measures to test the remaining students. Our main focus is to ensure the health and safety of all faculty and students.’’
TB is transmitted through the air to others nearby when an infected person coughs, speaks or sings. Not everyone with TB, however, becomes sick or exhibits symptoms. Those with active cases can seek medical assistance and recover. The disease is a high risk to infants, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems due to other illnesses.
“Even if a person is infected with the TB germ, they cannot give it to another person without being ill with the disease themselves,” Lilburn Middle School principal Gene Taylor said in his letter to parents. “This does not happen right away and may take years.”
Parents who want their kids tested right away will have to contact their family physicians or visit the health department. School system officials are urging all students to comply with TB screenings, adding that the system has the authority to refuse entry to those who don't comply.
For more information on the East Metro Health District's TB program, call 678-442-6880 or visit www.eastmetrohealth.com.
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