The Northern Kentucky Health Department has initiated an investigation following the diagnosis of an active tuberculosis case linked to a student at Lloyd Memorial High School. This type of tuberculosis is contagious, prompting the department to begin contact tracing for individuals who had prolonged exposure to the affected student.
Health Department Response
Matt Adams, the tuberculosis coordinator for the Northern Kentucky Health Department, confirmed the diagnosis and outlined the department’s response plan. According to Adams, approximately 40 to 60 close friends and family members of the student are being contacted for further testing and monitoring.
“We’re going to be contacting the parents. We’re also going to send them something in writing. We’re going to be doing testing,” Adams stated, emphasizing the thorough approach being taken to manage the situation.
School and Community Involvement
The Erlanger-Elsmere Independent Schools district has communicated with parents, assuring them of their cooperation with health officials. The district’s note highlighted their commitment to identifying students and staff who may have been significantly exposed to the active TB case.
Adams reassured families that the health department would provide necessary treatment and testing at no cost. “So we’ll work with the parents. For those that need treatment, we will provide that treatment. We cover the testing. So there’s no fees charged to the parents for this. That’s something covered under our TB program,” he explained.
Upcoming Testing and Precautions
Testing for those identified as having close contact with the student is scheduled to begin on June 13. However, not everyone who had contact with the student will require testing, as determined by the health department’s criteria.
Adams also sought to alleviate concerns among parents, noting that most students are likely to be healthy individuals with strong immune systems, reducing the risk of severe outcomes.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
