Iowa: Students Wonder About TB Risk

Hundreds of students at West High School in Iowa City, Iowa, are wondering about the risk of tuberculosis because a classmate may have the disease. The unidentified student's doctor reported the suspected TB case to public health officials last month. Johnson County officials are still awaiting test results. In the meantime, they have sent out letters recommending that nearly 300 students be tested as a precaution. Free TB skin tests will be offered July 8th and 10th at the school's health office. Public Health Director Ralph Wilmoth said his office had not received many calls from concerned students or parents. He said some wondered if family members of the students who received letters should be tested. "The answer to that is no," Wilmoth said. "Only those who were notified need to be tested."

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