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  2. Article: Department of Public Health Notice

Department of Public Health Notice


Posted Date: 06/02/2020

AMARILLO BI-CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT
Amarillo, Canyon, Potter County, Randall County
CITY OF AMARILLO, P.O. BOX 1971, Amarillo, Texas  79105-1971

TB Case Found in Fannin Middle School Student

April 1, 2014 - The City of Amarillo Department of Public Health has identified a student who attends Fannin Middle School has active tuberculosis (TB). The health department is conducting the contact investigation and is working closely with Amarillo Independent School District to identify classmates and teachers who have possibly been exposed.

In conjunction with AISD, the health department is sending a permission letter to parents of potentially exposed children asking for consent to give a TB skin test. As a result of exposure, those students and teachers will need a TB skin test to determine if they have come in contact with the TB bacteria. These tests will be given next week.

“TB exposures are most likely with children or teachers spending five (5) hours or more per week with the infected student” says Dr. Matt Richardson, director of Public Health for the City of Amarillo. “Because of that risk, we’re asking parents to allow us to test their kids and follow up if necessary.”

Once test results are reviewed, anyone testing positive for TB will then be evaluated to determine if they have an active form of the disease. The health department will coordinate further testing and treatment at no cost to the families of contacts.

“TB is a potentially serious infection of contagious and infectious bacteria that is treatable with antibiotics” says Dr. Roger Smalligan, health authority for the Amarillo Bi-County Health District. “We are working closely with AISD to determine who needs to be tested and treated. The good news is that testing contacts will allow us to find any potential cases and limit the possible spread of disease.  We don’t believe we have an outbreak situation in the school, but we are proactively investigating and screening any potential exposures.”

Signs and symptoms of active TB disease are:
Cough
Fever
Night Sweats
Weight Loss

Parents who receive the permission letter are encouraged to report any of the symptoms listed above to the health department. If parents or teachers have questions, they are encouraged to call the City of Amarillo Department of Public Health at 806-378-6300 or attend a meeting for parents in the school cafeteria on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m.