Tuberculosis Screening at Indio High: 45 Students Test Positive, Clinic Scheduled Friday

A student at Indio High School was recently diagnosed with active tuberculosis and screening Monday at the school showed 45 students tested positive for possible exposure to the illness, county public health officials said Thursday.

Followup X-rays have identified five students who require further examination, public health officials said.

A testing clinic for an estimated 1,800 students and faculty is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Friday Dec. 20 at Indio High, Jose Arballo Jr. of the Riverside County Health Department said Thursday in a phone interview. 

"There's no indication testing will be necessary at any other schools," Arballo said.

County health officials released a statement earlier Thursday that included the following:

Tuberculosis tests have been expanded to the entire student body and staff at Indio High School after results of an initial screening were higher than expected.

On Monday, 131 students were tested for the illness after a student was diagnosed with active tuberculosis recently.

The tests were reviewed on Thursday and 45 students tested positive for possible exposure to the illness. Someone who is exposed does not necessarily have active tuberculosis, a condition that must be confirmed with more tests.

On Thursday, follow up X-rays identified five students who require further examination. Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser ordered the testing expanded to the entire student body and staff. Kaiser emphasized that the risk of infection remains low, but that the action is being taken strictly out of precaution.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body, including the kidney, spine, and brain, according to CDC's website. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. Tuberculosis disease was once the leading cause of death in the United States.

For more info about the county's tuberculosis control program visit www.rivco-diseasecontrol.org.