WEST ASHLEY, SC (WCSC) -
Officials with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control say they have confirmed a case of tuberculosis in someone associated with West Ashley High School.
According to a press release, DHEC personnel are working closely with school leaders to identify members of the school community who may have been exposed to the TB germ and need to be tested.
DHEC says their department as well as the high school have informed parents and staff and will continue to keep the school community updated on their next steps.
"It is important to note that TB can be treated with antibiotics," DHEC officials said.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease found primarily in the lungs. It is spread from person to person through the air. Persons who have tuberculosis in their lungs cough the bacteria into the air and others become infected by breathing in the bacteria. These persons now have latent TB. Without treatment for latent TB infection, approximately 10 percent of the persons who become infected will develop tuberculosis disease sometime in their lifetime. The remaining 90 percent of the people with latent TB carry the bacteria for a lifetime without developing the disease.
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