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300 to Be Tested After Kalamazoo Student Tests Positive for Tuberculosis

Posted at 4:00 PM, Feb 13, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-13 17:13:14-05

Medical genericKALAMAZOO, Mich. (Feb. 13, 2014) — A student at Kalamazoo Central High School tested positive for tuberculosis, the district announced Thursday.

Nearly 300 students and staff at the school will undergo testing following the diagnosis.  According to Superintendent Michael F. Rice, those people have already received letters notifying them of the testing.

Parents whose children do not have to be tested will also receive a letter updating them on the news.

Kalamazoo County Health Department Officials said in a press conference that it’s uncommon that so many others need to be tested for the illness, but that it is very treatable.

The student who tested positive for TB was displaying symptoms, which is not always the case.  They will on antibiotics for several months, according to health department officials.