Principal Michael McDonough sent a letter to parents stating that the City of Houston Health Department informed him that an individual at the school is being evaluated and treated for a suspected case of TB. That individual is said to be recovering and feeling much better. School officials are not releasing any information about the individual.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that can be contagious if it becomes an active disease. However health experts say it is a difficult disease to catch because it is only spread through the air and the environmental conditions need to be just right. Casual contact is generally not sufficient for transmission of the TB bacteria.
Principal McDonough wrote, "At this time, we have not identified any other person on our campus with symptoms of TB. We are taking this situation seriously and will be working closely with the Houston Health Department to identify any student or staff that should be tested for TB infection. Determination of who needs testing is based on the type of exposure a student or staff has had to the sick individual."
Parents will be notified by letter next week by letter if their child is recommended for testing.
Houston Health Department officials will be on campus on Thursday, September 13 at 6pm in the science conference center to give a presentation to parents about tuberculosis and answer questions.
Additional information about tuberculosis can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
