JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health is investigating a case of active tuberculosis at Eugene Butler Middle School.
The Duval County Health Department said students, staff members and their families have been notified. They will be medically evaluated and offered therapy if infected.
The student with active TB needed hospitalization.
"We are working closely with the school district to ensure the health and safety of students and staff,” said Dr. Kelli Wells, director of the Florida Department of Health in Duval County. “This public health response is anchored by an investigation that is an important part of the protection of everyone involved."
TB is a disease caused by germs spread from person to person in close contact through the air. TB bacteria are put in the air when a person with the disease coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. Persons who breathe in the air containing the bacteria can become infected.
TB usually affects the lungs, yet may also affect other parts of the body. Symptoms of TB include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats. Symptoms of TB in the lungs also include coughing, chest pain and coughing up blood.
TB is diagnosed by a skin test or blood test, administered by a health care provider or local health department.
A positive test usually means the person has been infected with the TB germ, however, it does not necessarily mean the person has active TB. Additional tests, such as an X-ray or sputum sample are needed to determine if the person has active TB.
TB can be easily cured through proper medical treatment.
WJAX
