WASHINGTON — The Charles County Department of Health is expanding its tuberculosis investigation after learning a “small group of people” at an alternative school in Pomfret, Maryland may have been exposed to a person diagnosed with the bacterial disease.
School officials learned late Monday that a person at La Plata High School had been diagnosed with tuberculosis, said Katie O’Malley-Simpson, a spokeswoman for the Charles County Public Schools. O’Malley-Simpson declined to say whether the infected person was a student, administrator or teacher, citing privacy limitations.
On Friday, the school system said the health department had expanded its investigation after learning the person frequented the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center after school.
Now, 25 more people will need to be screened, O’Malley-Simpson said.
School officials said Friday that letters were being sent to staff, students and parents who may have come in contact with this person.
“If parents or staff members do not receive an exposure letter, they do not need to be screened at this time,” school officials said in an emailed news release on Friday.
Parents were notified of the initial infection Tuesday. So far, the school system has identified nearly 300 people for screenings.
Health practitioners are offering free screenings at La Plata High School on Dec. 5 and at Stethem on Dec. 6.
Regardless of the result, those identified for screenings will have to undergo a second test in order to ensure they are not infected. That second round of testing is expected to happen about 12 weeks later or after the school system’s winter break.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial illness that is spread through the air, usually by coughing or sneezing. The disease cannot be transmitted by touching someone or by sharing eating utensils. School officials said that, generally, a person must have prolonged exposure to the person with tuberculosis before infection occurs.
Those with questions can call the Charles County Department of Health’s Communicable Disease Control Program at 301-609-6900, ext. 6025, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional information about tuberculosis is available on the Department of Health website, charlescountyhealth.org. A fact sheet is also available on the school system website at ccboe.com.
