An elementary school student in Ponca City has tested positive for tuberculosis, according to district officials.Ponca City Public Schools officials said they were informed that a student at Liberty Elementary School tested positive for tuberculosis. They also said the district is cooperating with the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Kay County Health Department.“The health and safety of students is the district’s highest priority, and school officials will be working collaboratively with both agencies as they conduct their investigation,” Ponca City Public Schools officials said in a release.Health officials confirmed that the student was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis, and state and county health department officials have initiated an investigation. The investigation includes providing tuberculosis testing of household contacts and other close contacts to the student.Letters were sent and phone calls were made to school staff and to parents of students who might have had significant exposure and who are recommended to be tested for possible infection. Ponca City Public Schools officials said this includes people who had frequent and/or prolonged indoor contact with the student in instances such as being in specific classrooms or while on trips to sporting events, etc.People identified as contacts will receive a skin test upon initial notification followed by the same test three months later, officials said. If either test is positive, a medical evaluation and chest X-ray are conducted by public health officials.Preventative medication may be prescribed to a person with a positive skin test to reduce their risk of developing active tuberculosis disease.Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that usually affects the lungs, but other parts of the body can be affected. Authorities said the disease can be spread to others who share the same airspace.Symptoms may include feeling weak or sick, weight loss, fever and night sweats. A person with tuberculosis may have a cough, chest pain and/or coughing up blood.People who have not been contacted by the county health department do not need to be tested, officials said. If you are concerned or do not know whether a significant exposure occurred, you can contact the Kay County Health Department at 580-762-1641.
An elementary school student in Ponca City has tested positive for tuberculosis, according to district officials.
Ponca City Public Schools officials said they were informed that a student at Liberty Elementary School tested positive for tuberculosis. They also said the district is cooperating with the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Kay County Health Department.
“The health and safety of students is the district’s highest priority, and school officials will be working collaboratively with both agencies as they conduct their investigation,” Ponca City Public Schools officials said in a release.
Health officials confirmed that the student was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis, and state and county health department officials have initiated an investigation. The investigation includes providing tuberculosis testing of household contacts and other close contacts to the student.
Letters were sent and phone calls were made to school staff and to parents of students who might have had significant exposure and who are recommended to be tested for possible infection. Ponca City Public Schools officials said this includes people who had frequent and/or prolonged indoor contact with the student in instances such as being in specific classrooms or while on trips to sporting events, etc.
People identified as contacts will receive a skin test upon initial notification followed by the same test three months later, officials said. If either test is positive, a medical evaluation and chest X-ray are conducted by public health officials.
Preventative medication may be prescribed to a person with a positive skin test to reduce their risk of developing active tuberculosis disease.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that usually affects the lungs, but other parts of the body can be affected. Authorities said the disease can be spread to others who share the same airspace.
Symptoms may include feeling weak or sick, weight loss, fever and night sweats. A person with tuberculosis may have a cough, chest pain and/or coughing up blood.
People who have not been contacted by the county health department do not need to be tested, officials said. If you are concerned or do not know whether a significant exposure occurred, you can contact the Kay County Health Department at 580-762-1641.
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