Active tuberculosis disease case under investigation in northeast North Dakota - Grand Forks Herald

LAKOTA, N.D. – A reported case of active tuberculosis disease is under investigation in Nelson County, with connections to Lakota Public Schools in Lakota, North Dakota.

On Oct. 27, the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services announced that it and the Nelson-Griggs District Health Unit are investigating an infectious case of TB in the county, and that HHS is working with local public health to provide testing to those who may have been exposed.

According to HHS, individuals exposed have been identified and notified of their exposure, and instructed on how and when to be tested for TB. The individual with TB has been asked to isolate at home until a health provider determines they are no longer infectious.

A letter sent from HHS to parents and staff members of the Lakota school district on Oct. 25, says the case had extensive contact within the school system, but the letter emphasized there are no ongoing exposures to TB at the time and it is safe to attend school and other extra-curriculars. HHS recommended all students and staff, grades K-12, receive TB testing.

The Nelson-Griggs District Health Unit is offering a free screening clinic for the school district on Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lakota Community Center. Parents or guardians must be present or provide written consent for students to be tested. For anyone identified as needing treatment, medications will be made available at no cost.

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Those unable to make the screening date are advised to contact the Nelson-Griggs District Health Unit or their health care provider to make an appointment for testing. Tests outside of school may not be free, says the letter.

TB is serious, but treatable, says HHS, and is only infectious in its active state. Symptoms of TB disease may include a cough that lasts for three weeks or longer, chest pain, coughing up blood, weakness and fatigue, weight loss, chills, fever and night sweats. People recently infected with TB are generally diagnosed at the stage of latent TB — generally they exhibit no symptoms and are not able to spread the infection to others. TB disease and TB infections are treated with antibiotics.

According to HHS, TB is not spread easily, but can be transmitted through droplets from the sneezes or coughs of an infectious person. Infection occurs if an individual has prolonged exposure to someone who has infectious TB disease.

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