Now, another Tuberculosis exposure could take a toll on the health of students in Indiana. Health officials have released a public warning following the exposure of students and staff at Southport High School in Indiapolis.
According to the Marion County Public Health Department, they are recommending all the affected individuals to get tested. Meanwhile, officials with Perry Township Schools have notified parents, students and staff members about the exposure on Wednesday, reports RTV6 ABC News.
They have scheduled free testing on April 28 from 2:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the school premises and the results will be released on May 1st. After notifying the involved parties through automated messages, Principal Barbara Brouwer contacted those who were involved for testing.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that tuberculosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It was once the leading cause of death in the United States years ago and if left untreated, it can be fatal. Signs and symptoms of the disease include cough that lasts for 3 weeks or longer, chest pain, coughing out blood, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, lack of appetite, chills, fever and sweating at night.
Apparently, around one third of the world's population is infected with tuberculosis (TB) and in 2013, 9 million people around the world became sick with TB disease. There were around 1.5 million TB-related deaths worldwide, CDC reports.
District spokesperson Paula Clegg informed the school that students are welcome to have the test at any MCPHD branch and she added that these students are not banned from school since they have no symptoms of the disease yet. TB can only be spread once the symptoms are present, Chicago Tribune reports.
The infection can be spread through the air from an infected person to another through coughing or sneezing. Tuberculosis could appear latent for years and can only manifest symptoms once the resistance of the host becomes compromised.
