Tuberculosis Information
Tuberculosis case hasn't spread - by Dan Hust, Sullivan County Democrat
The following article is an update to the Tuberculosis situation at Monticello High School as reported on March 1, 2011
A single case of tuberculosis at Monticello Central School has thus far not infected anyone else, Sullivan County Public Health Nursing Director Carol Ryan confirmed yesterday. Nor has the illness claimed the life of its unidentified victim, she added.
"The person is expected to recover fully," she said, declining to say whether it was a student or a staff member. As a precaution, the infected individual has been kept from the general population and has yet to return to the district, Ryan explained.
About 300 people who might have been exposed to the bacterial disease have been notified, and many have taken the tuberculosis test offered by Public Health Nursing. So far, no additional cases have been found.
Ryan said this is the second case of tuberculosis in Sullivan county this year, though the other one was not related and was not in a school setting. Those infected with the illness must undergo treatment for several months before they fully recover, but thanks to a simple, permanent vaccine, Ryan said cases continue to decrease across the nation. She credited both her staff and the Monticello district with ensuring the disease didn't spread.
"We've had really good communication and cooperation from the school," Ryan affirmed. (Ryan and her staff gave a presentation at the February 28 informational meeting that was held at Monticello High School.)
Tuberculosis is contagious, spread mostly by coughing. Symptoms include rapid weight loss, night sweats, fever and a persistent cough. Those experiencing these conditions should contact their physician right away. The disease is both curable and preventable.
An informational meeting about the confirmed case of Tuberculosis at Monticello High School was held on February 28 to update the community about the situation
March 1, 2011
On February 22, the Sullivan County Health Department confirmed a case of Tuberculosis (TB) at Monticello High School. To answer the many questions and concerns that have been raised about the situation, an informational meeting was held on February 28. This meeting was open to all members of the school community.
Representatives from the school district and the Sullivan County Health Department presented facts about TB and explained the steps being taken to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.
Regular updates about the TB situation will be posted on this web page.
For more information about TB, please visit the following websites:
Sullivan County Health Department: http://co.sullivan.ny.us/Website/tabid/3306/default.aspx
NY State Health Department: www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/tuberculosis/index.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/TB/
The Sullivan County Health Department has confirmed the case of tuberculosis at Monticello High School. The person has been hospitalized.
February 22, 2011
CLICK HERE to view a letter from the Interim Superintendent of Schools Edward Rhine and TB Fact Sheets from the health department.
The Sullivan County Health Department notified the district about a suspected case of tuberculosis
February 18, 2011
CLICK HERE to view the first notification letter to the public from PPS Director Dr. Edward Escobar.