School TB Exposure Under Control, Testing Planned for 600+ in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV – December 30, 2023 – Nearly two weeks after raising concerns about a potential tuberculosis (TB) exposure at over a dozen Clark County schools, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) has assured the community that the situation is under control. While large-scale testing is planned for January, officials emphasize there is no ongoing risk of exposure.

Over 600 individuals who came into contact with an infected person who visited 26 campuses throughout the past year will be offered free TB testing at Ruthe Deskin Elementary School in late January. The infected individual has since been isolated and is receiving treatment.

“There is no ongoing exposure happening at this time,” stated Jennifer Bowers, a disease investigator with SNHD. “We have identified the end of any exposures, and there should be no fear of anyone being exposed at this time.”

Tuberculosis, while infectious, differs significantly from the spread of COVID-19. “You have to have close repeated contact with the person who has active disease which is coughing symptomatic,” Bowers explained. “Contacts are not contagious, they are not active disease. You are more likely to get the flu, or RSV, or something else that is going around in our community right now.”

Bowers further reassured parents and students about the safety of returning to school in the new year. “Your children are safe,” she confirmed. “We have done everything we can to stop the spread. The person who was sick, was isolated, we have identified that last date of exposure, we have notified all of those contacts.”

While tuberculosis can be deadly if left untreated, it is entirely curable with a prescribed course of antibiotics. The upcoming testing at Ruthe Deskin Elementary School aims to identify any potential cases early on and ensure timely treatment.

Credits: Fox 5 Vegas