Health Department tests approximately 90 Clint students potentially exposed to tuberculosis
Ninety children the El Paso Department of Public Health identified as being potentially exposed to active tuberculosis (TB) were tested Thursday.
The department identified a total of 163 students and eight staff members last week, who were at risk for TB exposure after coming into contact with an active TB case at Frank Macias Elementary. The department will not confirm whether the infected individual was a student or staff member.
The parents who had their children tested on Thursday will have to go to the school Monday for the results.
Fernando Gonzalez, the department’s lead epidemiologist, said it “was a great turnout.” He confirmed the children identified was the school’s second grade class.
Parents were invited to Frank Macias Elementary for an informational meeting at 9 a.m. about the potential exposure, as well as free blood testing. Two presentations were given, one in English, one in Spanish. The testing will continue until 5 p.m.
Gonzalez said test results from Thursday’s group will be sent to the lab, and ready Monday, June. 29.
Parents and their children were also registered with the department. On-site nurses gave them health assessments.
Gonzalez said a number of people who weren’t previously identified also attended the meeting. They were referred to the department’s immunization clinics for testing.
After Monday’s results come in, Gonzalez said there will be a follow-up with the children who need preventative testing and/or treatment and further evaluation.
The department will also hold testing Monday, June 29 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., with results ready Tuesday, and Tuesday, June 30 from 2 p.m.-6 p.m., with results ready Wednesday.
Gonzalez said TB is not a highly transmittable disease, and requires close, extended contacted with an infected individual. It also depends on the strength of a person’s immune system, but he did say, young children, such as second graders, are more susceptible.
If a child contracted TB, Gonzalez said they will be given a preventative treatment, which includes medication for a short period of time.
He said Frank Macias Elementary does not need to be quarantine.
