The Troup County Health Department is investigating a suspected tuberculosis case that potentially exposed students and staff at Gardner Newman Middle School.

School officials have sent notification letters to parents of students determined to be in close contact with the suspected case, putting them at risk of infection.

“We identified 150 students and faculty who need to be tested,” health department spokesman Hayla Hall said today.

She said tuberculin skin tests will be administered at the school starting Tuesday, with follow-up readings two days after the skin test is applied.

The person with the suspected case of TB is at home awaiting test results that are expected Friday, Hall said. If the tests are negative, the testing scheduled for Gardner Newman apparently would be canceled, she said.

The letter informed parents of their children’s potential exposure and requested that their child receive a tuberculin test. Permission slips for the free test were sent to parents to sign and return with students. Testing is not necessary for those who do not receive a notification letter.

Jayne Pauley, coordinator of health services for Troup County schools, has been in contact with the health department and is monitoring the situation for school impact.

“Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that is typically spread from person to person through airborne droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes,” said Dr. Michael Brackett, director of District 4 Health Services. “It can be treated and cured over a period of time with proper medications.”

He said the medications also are highly effective in preventing TB infection and disease in those who may have been recently exposed.

A simple tuberculin skin test can determine if someone has become infected with the TB germ.

According to public health experts, the majority of people exposed to TB will not develop the disease. Local public health officials will conduct surveillance (disease tracking) and perform skin tests on potentially exposed individuals. This test will determine whether the disease has been spread to another individual.

For more information, call the Troup County Health Department at (706) 845-4085.