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Panic at US school after student is diagnosed with tuberculosis

May 5, 2015 1:00 PM

Panic followed the diagnosis of a California student with active tuberculosis. Tests have been scheduled to detect inactive TB infection among students and staff who shared a classroom with the diagnosed student.

Tuberculosis patient

A student of Tokay High School in Lodi, California, has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis, causing panic in the school community.

San Joaquin County Public Health officials confirmed the diagnosis and said the student is being treated and there is no longer a risk of exposure to students and staff at school.

But informative letters have been sent to the students' parents even as fears mount that other students might have infected with the airborne disease.

In a statement, Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, assistant public health officer, said health workers are trying to identify students who might have been exposed.

“Public Health Services is working closely with school officials to proactively investigate and test students who may have been exposed,” Vaishampayan said.

Screening tests have been scheduled at the school to detect inactive TB infection among students and staff who shared a classroom with the diagnosed student.

Tuberculosis is potentially serious infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs