A student at Santa Maria High School has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). The family, Santa Maria Joint Union School District and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department are working together to assure the ill student receives treatment and that others are screened to rule out TB infection or disease.

Tuberculosis (TB) can be cured with medication.

The Public Health Department is conducting an investigation related to the ill student to identify individuals who have had close contact and may have been exposed to TB. Close contacts are tested to assure they are free of TB infection and disease. The testing and assessment process includes skin or blood testing and potentially chest x-rays. Individuals who test positive with TB infection as a result of exposure are given medication to prevent active TB. The goal of a contact investigation is to identify and treat active TB infection and disease as a measure for preventing the spread of the disease.

In addition to addressing the specific concerns related to this case, the School District and the Public Health Department are also interested in increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of TB and how to prevent the disease. A public meeting is scheduled for any member of the public who is interested in learning more about TB and the interventions being taken at Santa Maria High School. (No additional information will be provided about the ill student for purposes of confidentiality.)

WHAT: A public meeting to discuss how to identify TB disease and prevent the spread to others

WHEN: Friday, April 11, 2014, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

WHERE: Santa Maria High School Cafeteria, 901 S. Broadway

WHO: Representatives of the school district, public health department will be present to answer questions.

For more information, please contact the Susan Klein-Rothschild at the Public Health Department or Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Media Affairs Officer Kenny Klein (kklein@smjuhsd.org) 805-709-1454.

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