Suspected Tuberculosis Case Investigated at a Stamford School

STAMFORD, CT - A case of suspected tuberculosis has been reported at Westhill High School, according to Stamford health officials who said they are working with the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH).

In a letter to the school community posted on its website on Thursday, interim Stamford Health DirectorDavid Knauf and city Medical Advisor Dr. Henry Yoon wrote, “ At this time the DPH reports the possibility of exposure is extremely low. While this is not an emergency situation, we encourage you to see your health care provider if you have concerns.”

In their letter, Knauf and Yoon stated they “are investigating a case of tuberculosis” and then described it as a “potential case” and that the risk of contracting the disease “is considered to be very low.”

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Officials also wrote that the city health department will be offering tuberculosis testing “to close contacts as they would be considered to be at highest risk. Due to privacy laws (HIPAA), no additional information may be divulged. Close contacts of the patient will be determined through interviews and contacted by the Stamford Health Department Tuberculosis Team, in consultation with the DPH. ”

It is not known whether the patient is a student or a staff member.

The case apparently was reported Tuesday by Stamford Hospital, according to The Advocate.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and usually attacks the lungs. However, the TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain.

The bacteria is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings, and nearby people breathe in the bacteria, according to the CDC.

TB is NOT spread by shaking someone’s hand, sharing food or drink, touching bed linens or toilet seats, sharing toothbrushes or kissing, according to the CDC.

Symptoms include: a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer, pain in the chest, coughing up blood or sputum, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever or sweating at night. Treatment of the disease involves a drug regimen that is administered for a six- to nine-month period, according to the CDC.

More information about tuberculosis can be found here from the CDC.

City officials said information will be provided via the school’s website www.westhillweb.com and also is available by calling the Stamford Health Department at 203-977-5650.