Student At Secaucus High School Tests Positive For Tuberculosis

SECAUCUS, NJ — A student at Secaucus High School tested positive for tuberculosis last week, according to the school district.

The school district sent a letter to high school parents last week, informing them the student testing positive for TB.

The Secaucus school district notified the New Jersey Department of Health, which confirmed Tuesday that a student in Hudson County was recently diagnosed with active tuberculosis.

Contact tracing has been conducted, said the NJ Dept. of Health. The Department of Health also stressed that tuberculosis does not spread through casual contact; transmission typically requires prolonged, close indoor exposure to someone with active TB disease.

Tuberculosis is a contagious illness that starts in the lungs and is caused by a bacteria. Vaccines are effective against tuberculosis.

"Local health officials continue to work with the individuals who were identified as exposed to monitor their health and provide testing and follow-up in accordance with CDC guidelines," said a spokeswoman for the NJ Dept. of Health.