One Thousand at Arizona High School Face TB Tests

The Maricopa County, Ariz., Department of Public Health is advising a tuberculosis tests for over 1,000 students, teachers and staff who were at Coronado High School last spring. After active TB was diagnosed in one Coronado High student in May, county health care workers gave the TB tests as part of a three-month follow-up. Six students showed exposure in the skin tests. Officials say the new tests are a precaution, and there is no cause for alarm. "There are no active cases right now," said Doug Hauth, spokesperson for the health department.

The county will give the tests Sept. 22-23. Parents must sign a release for their child to be given the test, Hauth said. School officials are mailing letters home to parents. County officials will be on campus from 3:30-6:00 p.m. Sept. 18 in Coronado's media center to answer questions.

The six Coronado students who had positive skin tests will get chest X-rays to determine if they have any signs of infection.

"This is not an emergency," said Hauth. "The situation is under control. Public Health has a plan and is implementing the plan to test and treat if necessary. There is no cause for alarm right now," he said. For more information, telephone Maricopa County Public Health at 602-506-6900.

Cases of tuberculosis in Arizona grew nearly 6 percent in 2001 over the year before, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

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