ROCK HILL, S.C. — South Carolina health officials announced early Friday morning that testing has confirmed a case of tuberculosis at a Rock Hill middle school.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control sent a letter dated Thursday to parents and staff at Castle Heights Middle School after previously saying they were investigating. The letter was posted online by the school district.
DHEC said lab testing confirmed the presence of tuberculosis, and that their investigation is on-going.
The letter says officials are offering free tests to those who may have had close contact. The letter doesn't make clear whether the underlying case involves a student or staff member.
DHEC officials said they will be conducting a contact visit to determine the level of risk for classrooms, lunchrooms and other areas of the school. Based on information gathered during that visit, individuals who are identified as close contacts will receive the recommendation to be tested for TB first.
TB testing is accomplished by a blood test or by a tuberculin skin test (TST) and may require a chest x-ray for a complete assessment.
Someone who has been infected cannot spread the germ unless they have symptoms of TB disease, such as a bad cough that lasts three weeks or longer, pain in the chest, and coughing up blood or sputum.
Anyone with these symptoms should seek medical care immediately and relay to their physician that they may have been exposed to TB, which can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
State officials said the school will be safe for students to return on Jan. 5.
Castle Heights Middle School was contacted Thursday, Dec. 23, about a possible case of tuberculosis at the school and an email from school officials was sent to students’ families with information.
LINK: CDC information on TB symptoms
DHEC, was notified about the possible case and investigated it.
“TB is a lung infection that can be spread through the air by a person with active TB disease,” officials told parents in the statement. “It can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Most people exposed to TB do not become infected. Those at highest risk of becoming infected are close contacts who spend prolonged periods with individuals with active TB such as household contacts. TB is not easily spread to casual contacts.”
A case of tuberculosis in a child’s school does not mean that child has been exposed, DHEC officials said.
As the contact investigation continues, others may be recommended for testing.
Testing everyone in a school is rarely recommended, officials said.
Federal officials say U.S. tuberculosis cases have been declining, with about 9,000 nationwide in 2014.