ATLANTA — An active case of tuberculosis has been confirmed at a local middle school.
Parents at Bunche Middle School thought they were in the clear when preliminary tests came back negative for a case of active TB in the school. That was back on Feb. 23. The second set of results confirming the case came back last Friday, and parents were notified Monday.
"I was kind of surprised," said McArthur Evans, whose 12-year-old son attends Bunche.
Parents received a letter from Atlanta Public Schools informing them that the suspected case was confirmed and that the individual with TB is someone who was regularly at the school.
The notices did not include information on whether the person is a student or a faculty member.
The bacterium that causes TB can be spread through droplets in the air produced when a person sneezes or coughs.
Health officials say it's not spread through casual contact or simple breathing where a person with TB has been. It's mostly through prolonged or close contact.
Still, APS and Fulton County Health Services plan to conduct free testing at the school on March 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with results reported April 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"They wrote letters to all the parents and let everybody know they took care of it," said Evans. "I'm glad they did that."
School and health officials plan on holding an information session at the school March 26 at 6 p.m.
Those looking for information can call Fulton County's TB Control Program at: 404-613-1501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
WSBTV
