In a recent report on the respiratory disease tuberculosis (i.e., “TB”), an incident involving an illegal Chinese immigrant with a rare form of tuberculosis sparked concern and legal action in Louisiana.
Now approximately 200 students and staff members at a Georgia high school have undergone tuberculosis testing after a possible exposure on campus.
The possible exposure occurred at Walton High School in Cobb County, Cobb & Douglas Public Health said. The health department and the Cobb County School District together determined which individuals were at risk of exposure, and each was administered a tuberculin skin test.Approximately 200 Walton students and staff members were tested in total.Cobb & Douglas Public Health said officials will return to the school on Thursday to read and measure reactions to the tests.Anyone with a “positive reaction” will then undergo a chest x-ray to check for active disease, according to the department. Any individuals who did not get tested on campus Tuesday are advised to visit their private physician to receive a test,Cobb & Douglas Public Health noted.
Other reports indicate testing encompassed 300 students and staff members. Public health officials in the area are attempting to allay concerns by indicating TB is treatable.
“Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases in humans worldwide. It’s really a public health concern because it’s highly transmissible, but it is treatable,” said Dr. Amy Hajari Case, a pulmonologist with Piedmont Healthcare.Case understands that some parents are concerned but said it is important to note that the public health department is in the school trying to determine if anyone has the infection, to catch any sign of tuberculosis early.Students and faculty were given a skin test. Health officials will be back at the school on Thursday where they will read and measure the reaction to the skin test to get the results.
However, many are unhappy that American school kids are at risk for TB infection to begin with.
Parent John Cullom reportedly agreed, but still expressed concerns over the health risk.“I’m all for the testing, definitely do that. But it concerns me that it is in existence,” he told WSB-TV. “That’s a worry.”
Unfortunately, it appears America’s Gold Age of Public Health has come to an end as the scourge of TB is slowly returning to this country.
According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 9,615 tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported in the United States in 2023. This represents a significant increase from previous years:
Based on these projects, I think the other schools are going to eventually have to respond with TB testing of their student bodies…unless our politicians decide to control the border to better protect American public health.
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