10 Students At Two Elk Grove Schools Test Positive For Exposure To Tuberculosis

The Sacramento County Department of Public Health says tuberculosis testing is complete on students and staff at two schools in Elk Grove.

Eight students at Franklin High School tested positive for exposure to the disease out of 262 who were tested. Two students at Franklin Elementary tested positive for exposure to TB out of 88 who received the skin test.

All who tested positive will get additional evaluation, including chest x-rays, and they'll be offered preventive treatment. None of the tested students is infectious.

The testing was undertaken after one student at each of the schools was diagnosed with active TB.

 Release from the Sacramento County Department of Public Health:

Update on Tuberculosis Screening at Franklin High and Franklin Elementary

March 20, 2015

Yesterday and today, Sacramento County, in collaboration with Elk Grove Joint Unified School District, completed TB skin tests for students and staff at Franklin High School and Franklin Elementary. This was done as part of a continuing investigation, following the diagnosis of a student at each school with active TB disease.

Of the 262 students and staff screened at Franklin High School, 8 students tested positive for exposure to TB. 88 students and staff were screened at Franklin Elementary. Of those, 2 tested positive for exposure. Those who tested positive for exposure will be further evaluated with chest X-rays and offered preventative treatment.

None of the tested students is infectious.  Students who have a positive skin test but do not display symptoms will not be excluded from school. A second round of testing will be conducted in 8-10 weeks for those who tested negative. This is a required step because in some people, it may take that long for the body to develop a response to the test.

It is important for the public to understand that the latent form of TB is not infectious. It is, however, necessary to provide preventative treatment to stop progression to active disease. Only those with active TB may be infectious and can exhibit symptoms such as cough and fever.

 “There is no evidence of transmission with these results,” says Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County Public Health Officer. “Those who tested positive will be further evaluated and we will continue to work closely with the school district to schedule re-testing in 8-10 weeks for those who tested negative.”

If parents have any concerns or questions, they may call Franklin High School at (916) 714-8150 or Franklin Elementary at (916) 684-6518.

For questions concerning Tuberculosis, please call (916) 875-5881.