Columbus Elementary School Pupil Diagnosed With Tuberculosis

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A pupil at Columbus Elementary School in the New Rochelle city school district has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis, district officials said Thursday evening. The child is being treated and the risk of exposure is low, according to the Westchester County Department of Health.

Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. Most people who are exposed to tuberculosis do not become infected, health officials said.

Still, health and district officials are taking steps to identify students and staff who may have been exposed, offer free testing, and set up information sessions for school staff and families.

Statement from Superintendent Dr. Brian G. Osborne:

The Westchester County Department of Health has notified us that a student at Columbus Elementary School has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis. The child is being treated, is not at school and is expected to make a full recovery.

The safety and welfare of our students and staff is our highest priority. Our school and facilities remain safe for all students, staff, and visitors.

While the Westchester County Department of Health advises us that the risk of exposure is low, we are working with the Department to identify students and staff who were potentially exposed and who should be evaluated and tested.

Staff members and parents or guardians of children identified as potentially exposed will be notified in a letter by Friday, September 28. At a later date, they will be notified of free testing that will be scheduled.

Westchester County Department of Health medical staff and City School District of New Rochelle Medical Director Dr. Brooke Balchan will hold information sessions for Columbus School staff and families to address their questions and concerns.

The Department of Health advises us that a long period of close contact with an infected person is generally required for tuberculosis infection to be transmitted.

District officials included a TB fact sheet with a letter to parents and staff, with information from the New York state Health Department.

In addition to offering information about tuberculosis, a bacterial disease usually affecting the lungs, the fact sheet also describes the most important ways to stop the spread of tuberculosis: for people with TB disease to cover the mouth and nose when coughing, and to take all the TB medicine exactly as instructed by the health care provider. It is also important that people with latent TB infection be treated so they do not get TB disease later and spread it to others.

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