Watch CBS News

High School Student Diagnosed With Tuberculosis

NORTHVILLE (WWJ) - A student at Northville High School has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher says letters were sent out on Friday to all families believed to have individuals in the highest risk group.

Free testing will be available and she has this advice for all.

"When you do TB testing, having a positive result does not mean that you have an active case of TB, it just means exposure to the TB bacteria ... the TB germ and it doesn't mean that you will develop an active case of TB. Only individuals with an active case of TB are contagious," said Gallagher.

"They are affording us the opportunity to offer testing to any student that has been in a class with what they call the index case, either first semester or second semester. The reason for that is the period of possible exposures started in January ... through April," said Gallagher.

Gallagher states even those who are not considered at a high risk for exposure can still get tested at the Wayne County Health Department in Westland.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.