Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is gathering information about an active case of tuberculosis at Skyview High School. The risk of the disease spreading to students, staff and the public is low. Public Health currently has no evidence of additional cases at Skyview High School.
Public Health was notified by a local health care provider on Tuesday, May 1, of a possible tuberculosis (TB) case involving an individual associated with Skyview High School. Health privacy laws prevent Public Health from disclosing how the person is associated with the school. Public Health confirmed the diagnosis on Monday, May 7.
Public Health is working closely with Vancouver Public Schools and Skyview High School. Parents and staff were notified by phone calls, emails and printed letters on Friday, May 11. Public Health is identifying those who may have been in close contact with the person who tested positive for active TB and will notify those individuals directly in the coming days.
Public Health will offer TB screening to students and staff identified as potential close contacts. That screening will take place at the high school later this month.
As the evaluation continues, it may expand to include other locations where the individual spent prolonged periods of time between July 1, 2017, and May 1, 2018. Public Health will directly notify those individuals who may have been exposed and who are potentially at risk for infection.
Tuberculosis is caused by a germ that is spread from person to person through the air. TB is usually spread through prolonged close contact with someone who is contagious. Active TB disease does not develop immediately after a person is infected. Early identification and treatment of people who are infected can prevent them from developing active TB disease.
Contact Info:Marissa Armstrong, Public Health, 360.397.8000 ext. 7307, 360.518.1731; [email protected]
