Feb. 6, 2008, 12 a.m. - The Prince George's County Health Department in conjunction with the Prince George's County Public Schools is taking precautionary measures after a case of Tuberculosis has been identified in a local school.

            "Our goal is to protect the heath of our citizens and prevent the spread of disease in our county", said Donald Shell, M.D., M.A., Health Officer.  "Once we find a confirmed case of Tuberculosis, it is standard operating procedure for the Health Department to investigate and determine who else may be at risk for exposure.”

            Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial illness that is spread through the air by coughing or sneezing.  Persons at most risk for contracting TB must be in close contact (within 2 feet of an infected individual, for a minimum of 8 hours in a confined area or an individual sharing a household with an infected person). TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect the brain, the kidneys, or the spine.

            Shell said “ The Health Department will be offering free TB testing to those individuals at Parkdale High school who we believe to be at risk for being exposed to Tuberculosis."

            General symptoms of active TB disease include feeling of sickness or weakness, chills, coughing, chest pains, weight loss, fever and night sweats. 

            TB disease can be treated by taking several drugs for 6 to 12 months.  It is very important that people who have TB disease finish the medicine, and take the drugs exactly as prescribed.

            On occasions when a case of TB is found in a school setting, the individual is excluded from school until cleared by the Health Department to return.  The Principal and school nurse are contacted in order to determine who is considered to be the closest contacts to the case. 

            The Health Department sent an information letter to all staff and students at Parkdale high school on February 2 to inform them that a case of TB was found at the high school. Additionally an exposure letter went to all individuals the Health Department believes to be at risk for contracting TB informing them of the need to get tested.

            For additional information on Tuberculosis, call the Health department's Tuberculosis Control Program at (301) 583-3110 or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at  http://www.cdc.gov/tb/