Tuberculosis at St. Louis Park High School: What to Know

In late November, St. Louis Park's school district was notified by the Hennepin County Department of Health that an individual at the high school had been diagnosed with active Tuberculosis. By the time the district were notified, the individual was receiving medical care and posed no further risk or exposure to the school, according to officials.

However, in September, October, and November, before the Tuberculosis diagnosis had been determined, the individual was in the school building while contagious. Because of this, the Hennepin County Department Health will test students and staff who may have had close contact with the contagious individual.

The Tuberculosis experts at the Hennepin County Department of Health asked St. Louis Park school officials to wait to communicate this information and arrange for the testing until they could determine who needed to be tested. Health officials said it takes several months for a new case of Tuberculosis to become identifiable by their testing.

To make the testing process easier for everyone involved, Superintendent Rob Metz said the school district has voluntarily agreed to allow the testing to take place at the high school.

On Wednesday, school officials mailed a letter to every high school student’s and staff members’ home. The letter indicates whether or not the Hennepin County Department of Health is recommending testing for the student or staff member. Students who will be tested must return a signed permission form to the Student Office before testing can take place.

The student testing has been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 30, and Tuesday, Jan. 31. The school district is asking that signed permission forms be returned to school by Thursday, Jan. 19.

In a letter, Metz said that "although this is a unique situation for us, the Hennepin County Department of Health has dealt with similar situations on numerous occasions. We are working closely with them, listening to their advice, and are working to support our students and staff members in every way possible."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but the bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with the bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, the disease can be fatal.

A representative from the Hennepin County Department of Health can be reached at (612) 382-8666 to answer all Tuberculosis and testing related questions.

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