State and local health officials have identified an active tuberculosis case at a high school in Olathe, Kansas. The Johnson County Health Department announced that a student at Olathe Northwest High School has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. The unidentified student is already receiving treatment and following isolation protocols. Tuberculosis incidence has increased over the past two years after dropping dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before 2020, the number of infections had been steadily declining since 1993. Olathe Northwest is the same school in the Kansas City area that faced a major tuberculosis outbreak in 2015. Now, this preventable and treatable disease is sweeping the Kansas City metro. Tuberculosis is airborne and usually requires close or frequent contact with an infected person. This disease is not transmitted by physical contact. Health officials say they are working to identify people who may have come into contact with the diagnosed student and will conduct a testing clinic at Olathe Northwest. “We want to make sure we don’t leave anyone behind, which is why we have approximately 425 confirmed cases at this time,” Johnson County Health Department Director Charlie Hunt said. Hunt said the incident shouldn’t be a cause for major concern, but it’s something people should be aware of. “It’s not something that spreads easily, and we’re going to help them through the process of treatment if their students or their jobs become infected,” Hunt said. Olathe Northwest has all scheduled classes, events, sports and activities. Since he first became ill, the district announced that the diagnosed student has not attended school or participated in any homecoming events for nearly two weeks. Olathe School District Statement Regarding Identified Tuberculosis Cases: “The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and that is why.” Under the guidance of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, we are We strive to follow protocols and recommendations. We want to assure you that every precaution is being taken for the safety of all community members, especially Olathe Northwest students and staff. We are grateful for our community and his partnership with JCDHE and KDHE as we move through this process. ” A forum for Olathe She Northwest staff, students, and families will be held on the school grounds on Thursday, October 5th at 6 p.m. commons area. Tuberculosis experts and consultants will present the facts and answer questions from families and staff in the district, the health department said. Antibiotic treatment for tuberculosis may take 3 to 9 months. Symptoms include a persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, chills, fever, and hemoptysis. Approximately 10 million people are affected by this disease each year. Despite being preventable, tuberculosis remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, killing 1.5 million people a year. “Tuberculosis remains a global public health problem and can cause many complications,” Hunt said. This disease is also the leading cause of death. This also applies to people diagnosed with HIV. For more information about tuberculosis, visit the CDC’s website.
State and local health officials have identified an active tuberculosis case at a high school in Olathe, Kansas.
The Johnson County Health Department announced that a student at Olathe Northwest High School has been diagnosed with tuberculosis.
The unidentified student is already receiving treatment and following isolation protocols.
Tuberculosis incidence has increased over the past two years after dropping dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before 2020, the number of infections had been steadily declining since 1993.
Olathe Northwest is the same school in the Kansas City area that faced a major tuberculosis outbreak in 2015.
Now, this preventable and treatable disease is sweeping through the Kansas City metro. Tuberculosis is airborne and usually requires close or frequent contact with an infected person. This disease is not transmitted through physical contact.
Health officials said they are working to identify people who may have come into contact with the diagnosed student and will conduct a testing clinic in Olathe Northwest.
“We want to make sure we don’t leave anyone behind, which is why we have approximately 425 confirmed cases at this time,” Johnson County Health Department Director Charlie Hunt said.
Hunt said the incident shouldn’t be a cause for major concern, but it’s something people should be aware of.
“It’s not something that spreads easily, and we’re going to support them through the process of treatment if their students or their jobs become infected,” Hunt said.
Olathe Northwest will continue all scheduled classes, events, sports and activities as normal. After first becoming ill, the diagnosed student did not attend school for nearly two weeks and did not attend homecoming events, according to the district.
Olathe School District Statement Regarding Identified Tuberculosis Cases
“The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. As such, we are working under the guidance of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to follow their protocols and recommendations in this situation. ” We want to assure you that every precaution is being taken for the safety of all community members, especially Olathe Northwest students and staff. We are grateful for the partnership with JCDHE and KDHE as well as the community as we move forward with this process. ”
A forum for Olathe Northwest staff, students, and families will be held in the school’s common area on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 6 p.m. Tuberculosis experts and consultants will be on hand to present the facts and answer questions from families and staff in the district, the health department said.
Antibiotic treatment for tuberculosis takes 3 to 9 months. Symptoms include a persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, chills, fever, and hemoptysis.
Approximately 10 million people are affected by this disease each year. Despite being preventable, it remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, killing 1.5 million people each year.
“Tuberculosis remains a global public health problem and can cause many complications,” Hunt said.
The disease is also the leading cause of death in people diagnosed with HIV.
For more information about tuberculosis, visit the CDC. Website.
