California: 1 Has TB, 11 Show Infection

Eleven people exposed to tuberculosis by a student at Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, Calif., have tested positive for the infection and have been asked to undergo more tests. The 10 students and one staff member have no symptoms, but Contra Costa County health officials have recommended that they have chest X-rays to make sure they have not developed active TB. "Each one will be followed by a nurse to make sure they get what they need," said Francie Wise, communicable disease programs chief. Public health nurses tested 110 students, teachers and administrators last week as a precaution after a student was diagnosed with active TB. Another 15 students will be tested by their private doctors by the end of the week. Those who tested negative will be asked to test again at the end of June, because it can take up to 12 weeks for an infection to show up on a skin test. Ten of the people who tested positive for TB had high risk factors, such as immune problems or having visited or lived in an area with high TB rates.

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