A child tested positive for active tuberculosis on Thursday in Riverside County.
The child attended Raymond Cree Middle School in Palm Springs and was briefly hospitalized but is now receiving treatment at home, according to Riverside County officials. Students are expected to survive.
Parents of approximately 50 students have received emails from the University of Riverside Health System Public Health Department and the Palm Springs Unified School District informing them that their child may have been exposed to the disease.
About 20 staff members who may have been exposed were also notified.
A separate letter has been sent informing parents of tuberculosis cases, but the letter is for information only. Children of parents who receive informational letters are not at risk of exposure, officials said.
A student screening clinic was held on April 18, and parents were encouraged to attend with their children.
Health officials are looking for others who may have been in contact with the student at this time.
Dr. Geoffrey Leung, Public Health Officer for Riverside County, said although the risk of infection is low, it is important for parents who receive the letter to get their children tested.
“The test is quick and provides peace of mind for both parent and child,” says Leung. “Once the test is administered, the child should come back in two days and have it read by a health care worker.”
Tuberculosis is a disease that primarily affects the lungs.
“The disease is spread through the air through prolonged, repeated, and close contact with individuals with active tuberculosis,” the official explained. “Symptoms include a persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.”
Tuberculosis can spread easily in crowded places or where people live in crowded environments. According to the Mayo Clinic. People with weakened immune systems or those infected with HIV/AIDS are at higher risk of contracting tuberculosis than those with normal immune systems.
“In most cases, people infected with the disease never see it develop into active tuberculosis, but remain asymptomatic and simply infected with the bacteria.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the disease is visible on skin tests.
If the skin test is positive, the student should get a chest x-ray and follow up with public health officials to determine if active tuberculosis is present or if they have just been exposed to it.
“We are working with RUHS-Public Health on notification and screening logistics to ensure that potentially infected students and staff receive information and follow-up guidance in a timely manner,” said PSUSD Health Services. Director of Responsibility Laura Dyson said. “We are grateful for the resources of county public health departments and their personnel who continue to be experts in infectious disease information and management.”
