One tuberculosis case found at Miller County High School

COLQUITT — The Southwest Public Health District, Miller County Health Department and Miller County Schools are working together to manage possible exposure to tuberculosis at Miller County High School, officials said on Friday.

As of Friday, one active case associated with the high school had been found, and the patient was recovering, officials said.

The TB investigation first began a few weeks ago when the person, confirmed by school system officials to be a student, began showing symptoms. The test results were positive for TB, and the individual was placed on medication and isolated at home, said District Public Health Director Dr. Charles Ruis.

“Students and staff who appear to be at high risk of exposure will receive a recommendation for TB skin testing,” Miller County Health Department County Nurse Manager Darleen Cox said. “If your child doesn’t get one of these recommendations, there is no cause for concern.”

Officials said students brought home letters about the investigation beginning on Monday. Skin tests are being performed by a nurse at the school at no cost for students identified as being at high or moderate risk of exposure, the results of which are determined in 48 hours.

“If the skin test outcome is abnormal, we will notify you and arrange for additional evaluation, including a chest X-ray,” Cox said. “Even if your child has not been identified as being at highest risk of exposure, if you still wish to have your child tested, you may schedule an appointment to bring him or her to the Miller County Health Department for a TB skin test.”

Those elective tests cost $27 each, she said.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that is spread strictly through coughing. For most people infected with the germ, it is concealed, inactive and is not contagious.

When the germ escapes and becomes active and contagious, it usually attacks the lungs, but it also can attack other parts of the body.

“There are a lot of people walking around with TB, and it is not causing problems in 90-95 percent of cases, but the germ can escape entrapment,” Ruis said.

Public Health personnel are managing the medication of the affected patient to ensure compliance, and those with direct exposure to the patient have been directed to wear masks. The patient’s treatment has been going well, Ruis said.

To date, of the 250 tests performed in Miller County, less than 5 percent have revealed any evidence of the TB germ — and all have been inactive.

“That is about what the general rate would be,” Ruis said.

Tuburculosis is typically spread by repeated exposure over a long period to a person who is contagious. The germ is not viable outdoors, so the primary concern would be indoor exposure, Ruis said.

Since the investigation was launched, Public Health officials said there has been some concern in the community over whether the high school would require a cleaning. They said that it is not necessary due to the nature of how the disease is spread.

“That would not be effective, because it is not that type of an infection,” said Carolyn Maschke, public information officer for the health district.

Jimmy Phillips, interim superintendent for Miller County Schools, said the school system prides itself in making sure everyone involved is informed and that there has been cooperation with Public Health officials in addressing the issue.

“We are working hand in hand with the Public Health Department and Dr. Ruis to address the testing of Miller County High School students based on information that one student tested positive for TB,” he said.

Phillips added that parents have been notified and that updates as well as infectious disease information is available at the school system’s website at http://www.miller.k12.ga.us

It is recommended that those with a positive skin test take prophylaxis medicine. Ruis said that if another active case is found, an investigation will be launched into that patient’s contacts to determine who else needs to be tested.

Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. Additional information on TB can be found at www.cdc.gov/TB/. For more information, contact the Miller County Health Department at (229) 758-3344.