Tuberculosis confirmed at Joppatowne High School in Harford County
BALTIMORE -A case of tuberculosis was identified at Joppatowne High School in Harford County, the county health department confirmed Monday.
According to the health department, a letter and a fact sheet were provided to parents and guardians.
The health department started contract tracing to determine if any students or staff may be impacted.
Tuberculosis is a serious illness that impacts the lungs and is spread from person to person through the air after prolonged exposure.
If a person is showing symptoms. it can be very serious and can be deadly if not treated properly.
Symptoms include cough, sometimes with blood, fever, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue.
"TB is spread through the air from person to person after prolonged exposure in an enclosed space," said Harford County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Jamie Sibel. "Our investigation is an important step to help prevent the spread of TB."
Elsie Harmon, who attends school online, said she has many friends at the school who texted her about the tuberculosis.
"They don't want to go to school," Harmon said.
The health department cannot release any information about the person who has tuberculosis or how they may have gotten it for confidentially reasons.
However, Dr. Sible said the department is investigating to see if anyone else has gotten sick..
"We at the health department are going through a contact investigation and we are identifying anyone in the school with a close contact to the affected individual and we will be testing them and treating if needed, Dr. Sibel said.
Dr. Sibel told WJZ active tuberculosis disease cases are rare in the United States, so the vaccine for them is not required for students to go to school.
She also said community members shouldn't be alarmed by this case.
"One is only at risk if they've had prolonged exposure to the person who has been affected," Dr. Sibel said. "So, therefore, this is not a community-wide problem at this time."
However, some parents told WJZ they are worried and wonder if a vaccine should be required.
"I think tuberculosis is a very serious disease and it can spread most, especially, so I think they should vaccinate the kids," said Minister Harmon said.
For more information on tuberculosis, testing or treatment, call the Harford County Health Department at 410-612-1779 or visit the department's website at www.harfordcountyhealth.com.
