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HYRUM, Cache County — A high school student in Cache County was identified Monday as having active tuberculosis, and local health officials are working to identify other students and staff who may have been exposed.
Only a small group of individuals at Mountain Crest High School, where the student attends, are likely to have had close and prolonged contact and be at risk of infection, the Bear River Health Department said in a press release.
TB often affects the lungs and is caused by a bacteria spread through the air. It is treatable but can be life-threatening if not treated.
"TB is spread through close and prolonged contact with an individual with infectious, active TB disease," Dr. Parfulla Garg, medical director of the Bear River Health Department, explained in the statement. "TB is spread through the air from one person to another but is not spread by shaking someone's hand, sharing food or drink, touching bed linens or toilet seats, sharing toothbrushes or kissing. Despite the fact that active TB only develops approximately 5-10% of the time in an exposed individual, testing of exposed individuals is highly recommended in order to prevent the spread of the disease. TB is a serious disease, and proactive testing is necessary to help prevent further spread and avoid severe complications."
Complimentary testing will be available to anyone the health department and school identify as being at risk for exposure. Students and faculty with weakened immune systems will also be given complimentary tests and are encouraged to test.
Others who would like testing can contact their health care provider or visit the South Logan office of the Bear River Health Department at 635 S. 100 East in Logan.
Symptoms of active TB can include prolonged cough, fevers, chills, night sweats, weight loss, loss of appetite or chest pain.
More information can be found at the Bear River Health Department's website, or by calling the TB hotline at 435-792-6567.
