A spokesperson for the Beaumont Independent School District has confirmed to 12News that a student has tested positive for Tuberculosis. The student attends Westbrook High School.
BISD spokesperson Nakisha Burns told 12News the following letter was sent home with West Brook Students.
March 8, 20181
Dear Parent,
The Beaumont Public Health Department has notified the district of a single confirmed case of Tuberculosis (TB) at Westbrook High School.
TB is a disease spread through prolonged, close exposure to someone who has the germ in his/her lungs. Exposure is most likely to occur when a person with TB is actively coughing. TB can usually be prevented and treated effectively with appropriate medications.
As part of their ongoing investigation, the Beaumont Health Department has determined that the time for possible TB exposure to others at the school was between October 31, 2017 and February 2, 2018.
If it is determined that your child requires testing, you will be notified by the Beaumont Public Health Department through the campus. Testing of impacted students is tentatively scheduled for early April. The Health Department will be on site at the campus to test students potentially impacted. Although you are welcome to have your student tested for TB with your local physician prior to campus testing, it is not recommended that you do so at this time due to the risk of an inaccurate test result.
If you have specific questions regarding TB and its transmission, please contact the Beaumont Health Department at 409-654-3603.
Sincerely,
Beaumont Independent School District
Burns said district administrators are working with Beaumont Health Department officials on this matter.
