KALAMAZOO, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - An active case of tuberculosis has been diagnosed in Kalamazoo, the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department reported.
The case involves someone at Kalamazoo Central High School, the press release said, without specifying if this is a student, staff or faculty. Local health officials have since notified Kalamazoo Public Schools of the diagnosis, while confirming that the person involved is getting treatment and has been isolated from others.
In response to the case, the health department is working with the school district to identify anyone who may have "spent extended periods of time around the person with TB while they were potentially contagious."
Those people will be sent a questionnaire, and information about testing that will be provided at the school at no cost to those people.
"KPS is taking guidance from the health department and is collaborating on the response," Kalamazoo Superintendent Dr. Darrin Slade said in the announcement. "We send our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the individual diagnosed."
The Centers for Disease Control consider tuberculosis to be a "nationally notifiable disease" with reporting mandated in all U.S. states. The State of Michigan Health and Human Services Department counted 165 cases in the state during 2024.
Tuberculosis usually affects the lungs, but can also affect the brain, kidneys or spine.
It is a contagious disease; but not spread as easily as many other illnesses. The health department said one cannot get tuberculosis from sharing school supplies, touching toilet seats or shaking hands. It can be spread to someone who shares extended periods of time in enclosed spaces.
Not everyone infected gets sick, which means medical officials consider latent infection or inactive TB to be a different condition than active TB with symptoms such as cough, night sweats and abnormal chest X-ray. Treatment of latent TB can prevent active TB from developing.
"Although tuberculosis can be a serious disease, it is a treatable infection. We are working closely with Kalamazoo Public Schools to ensure the safety and health of all staff and students," said Dr. William Nettleton, Medical Director of Kalamazoo County HCS.