Hundreds of students and staff at a suburban Georgia high school are being tested for a Victorian-era disease considered the world’s leading infectious threat.
Health officials say up to 300 people may have been exposed to someone with an active tuberculosis infection at Walton High School in Cobb County, which is about 20 miles northwest of Atlanta.
Those at risk received letters this week demanding that they be tested by the school nurse or bring a written note from the doctor confirming their negative test.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial lung infection that affected more than 8 million people worldwide last year through droplets from coughs or sneezes.
The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that tuberculosis is now the “leading cause of infectious death” globally, surpassing Covid.
Although the global death rate from tuberculosis is about one in six, deaths from the infection, which shares many initial symptoms of a standard cold or cough, are rare in the U.S., as it can usually be treat with antibiotics.
However, experts have warned that the condition is on the rise in the United States due to rising poverty rates and a lack of testing.
Health officials say up to 300 people may have been exposed to someone with an active tuberculosis infection at Walton High School in Cobb County, as seen in the map above.
A Walton High School parent, pictured above, said, “I’m all for testing, definitely do it.” But I’m worried that it exists. That’s a concern
The Cobb & Douglas County Public Health Department told local news station Channel 2 Action News that, along with school administrators, they have identified those who may have been exposed to tuberculosis.
However, the department and district did not disclose exactly how many were exposed or any identifying information.
One student who was not tested told the network that other students who were required to be tested were told at the beginning of the school day.
The anonymous student said: ‘Some children received errors in their classroom. I didn’t know there were so many.
John Cullom, parent of a Walton High School student, said: “I’m all for testing, definitely do it.” But I’m worried that it exists. That is cause for concern.
Health officials said any student or staff who did not get tested by Tuesday should go to their doctor for a checkup and bring a written report with the results.
The health department will return to the school on Thursday to read and measure reactions to the tests.
A positive test would confirm exposure to active tuberculosis. The CDC estimates that up to 13 million Americans have inactive tuberculosis, also called latent tuberculosis, meaning they live with the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis in their bodies but do not have symptoms.
Early symptoms of tuberculosis include cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. But severe cases can kill by destroying objects from the inside.
But latent tuberculosis can develop into active tuberculosis, which affected about 8,000 Americans in 2022 and killed just over 600. Although rare in the United States, experts have warned that tuberculosis is increasing around the world.
A CDC report found that 2023 saw the highest number of cases in the United States in the last decade.
Experts have blamed a lack of testing and reporting, as well as rising poverty rates, as poor access to basic healthcare and crowded living conditions could increase the risk of the disease spreading.
Early symptoms include cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
But a severe tuberculosis infection can kill by destroying organs from the inside, causing them to bleed and fill with fluid.
Tuberculosis is particularly dangerous for immunocompromised people, such as those receiving chemotherapy, as well as those who are generally more vulnerable, such as young children and the elderly.
While there is a vaccine for tuberculosis, it is not generally used in the U.S. and protection wanes over time, according to the CDC.
Only people with active tuberculosis can infect each other by coughing, talking, or singing.