Possible case of tuberculosis reported at Desert Mirage HS

A student at Desert Mirage High School in Thermal may have tuberculosis, according to officials with the Coachella Valley Unified School District.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that attacks the lungs.

“TB is a treatable illness once it is diagnosed. The risk of transmission is low in both instances but we are working to ensure that anyone who may have been exposed will be tested as a precaution,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer.

If the initial TB test is positive, individuals will then be referred for a chest x-ray.

District officials reported the possible case of TB at 3 p.m. Thursday. The student, who isn’t being identified, was hospitalized and is receiving treatment, according to a release from the health department.

Dr. Darryl Adams with CVUSD said the district will send notices to parents of the 100 to 150 students who may have been in close proximity to the student in question. There are 1,800 total students at the school.

Students who may have been in the contamination area don’t have to be tested for tuberculosis, but Adams said they are strongly encouraging parents who receive notices to sign consent forms.

CVUSD will set up a clinic within the next week to make sure they are being accountable with the possible tuberculosis case.

“The District’s No. 1 priority is the safety and health of all of our students and entire staff,” Adams said. “The student identified is not currently in school. While the case is not confirmed, the district office and high school administration is fully cooperating with the health department to follow proper county protocol in identifying and notifying anyone who may have been exposed to the illness as a precaution. Working together we can make sure to keep our school community healthy.”

In a separate case, an employee who works for the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services in Lake Elsinore has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis, but county health officials believe the individual had minimal contact with the public while the person was infectious.

Health officials said tuberculosis isn’t very common in the U.S. but the likelihood of getting it increases when traveling outside the country.