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Macomb County High School Student Tests Positive For TB

UTICA (WWJ) - Some kids and staffers at a Macomb County high school will be tested, as a precaution, after a student was diagnosed with an infectious disease.

The student, who attends Utica High School, is being treated for tuberculosis.

Dr. Kevin Lokar, Medical Director of the Macomb County Health Department, says the male student, who hasn't been feeling well, tested positive for TB after going to the doctor.

"We're in the process right now of working with the school district to identify students and staff, who may have been exposed to this student, so that we can do tuberculosis skin testing in people who have had potential exposure," Lokar told WWJ's Zahra Huber. "And we'll be doing those clinics at the school within the next couple of weeks.

Lokar, however, says there is "no imminent health threat" to students and staff at this time.

"It's an airborne (disease) spread by people that are coughing who have active tuberculosis," Lokar said.

"It is not easily transmitted. It usually requires prolonged exposure with someone, close exposure for a long period of time," he said. "The highest risk are family members and close friends of people who have TB."

The teen is enrolled at Utica High, officials say, but also takes a class at Stevenson High school — also in the Utica Community Schools district.

The student's name has not been released.

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