Westlake High School Member Contracts Tuberculosis

A Westlake High School member has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, but the risk of it spreading is very low, according to county officials.

"The Cuyahoga County Tuberculosis Program contacted us late yesterday to let us know that a member of the community has contracted TB over the winter break," said schools spokesperson Kim Bonivssuto. "We’re offering voluntary testing for students, faculty, and anyone that works at the high school."

The high school is remaining open due to the low risk of the disease spreading, but administrators are organizing free skin tests and an informational meeting as a precaution.

District officials met with TB Program representatives Thursday morning to get the proper information, and to set up the voluntary testing clinics.

TB skin tests will be offered from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 10, in the lobby by nurses from the Cuyahoga County TB Program. The tests will be read 48 hours after testing, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 12, also in the Performing Arts Center lobby.

Parents who want their high school student tested must fill out a permission form, which will be available soon. Forms will also be available in the high school's main office. Students will not be tested without the completed form.

Any high school student or staff member who misses this testing window and who wishes to be tested may visit MetroHealth TB Clinic for a free test. Tests are also available through primary care physicians.

Anyone with a negative test result will be asked to repeat the test after three months as a precaution. The dates for those tests will be announced later.

A physician from the Cuyahoga County Tuberculosis Program will be available for a brief meeting with parents, students and staff at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Performing Arts Center.

For more information on tuberculosis, call the Cuyahoga County Tuberculosis Program at 216-778-8083.