SALISBURY, Md. - Caroline Barber's son goes to James M. Bennett High School, where one of her son's classmates recently was diagnosed with active tuberculosis.
"I got an automated call from the school, which is normal, and I also got an email. So, I had both right away on my phone," said Barber.
When she picked her son up from school last night, she was given a letter that told parents voluntary tuberculin skin testing for students would be administered by the school starting on Feb. 11th.
"It's better to be safe than sorry," said Barber.
Wicomico County Health Department officials tell us that county wide, active tuberculosis cases happen three to four times a year per 100,000 people around the national average. Even though officials say that in their memory this case hasn't happened in the school system, they are not worry.
"People who had been exposed to the index case have no reason to change their activities whatsoever," said Dr. James Cockey, Wicomico Co. Health Dept. physicians deputy health officer.
"You have to be in a closed confined space," said Diane Pellegrino, Wicomico Co. Public Schools health services coordinator. "I would be more worried about getting this from somebody on an airplane."
If you were given a letter by the school board, it's voluntary to have your student tested on February 11th. Two days later, tests will be read by the Wicomico County Health Department.
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