Active tuberculosis case confirmed at JPS high school

Harold Gater
Mississippi Clarion Ledger

About 200 Jackson Public Schools students will be tested for tuberculosis after an active case was confirmed at Provine High School, the Mississippi State Department of Health said in a news release Monday.

MSDH is working with Provine officials to identify students and staff who may have been exposed to TB on campus. .

MSDH will notify students and faculty by letter with details about upcoming tests. Testing for TB is only recommended for those individuals notified by the health department.

The risk of infection from this diagnosed case is minimal, MSDH said. The most common way to become infected with TB is to have direct, extended contact with someone who has an active case of the disease.

TB is a respiratory infection that spreads when a person inhales airborne germs over an extended period of time in a confined area with someone who has the active disease, according to MSDH. Symptoms of active TB disease include persistent coughing, coughing up blood, night sweats and weight loss. 

Exposure to active TB disease can result in TB infection. TB infection is not contagious and has no symptoms, but can develop into active TB disease over time. A course of treatment is recommended for those with TB infection in order to prevent future TB disease.

"Provine High School officials have taken all the necessary safety precautions and have cooperated completely with us to ensure the further safety of all students, faculty and staff," MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said.

"It’s important to remember that cases of TB are seen every year in the state, and sometimes these kinds of investigations in school settings are necessary. Identifying diseases and limiting the spread to others is an activity we do routinely, and there is absolutely no cause for concern," Byers added.

Health department officials will hold a meeting with parents at the Provine High auditorium from  6 to 7 p.m. Thursday to address questions and provide additional information.

Provine High School in Jackson is shown in this file photo.