Grand Prairie ISD to Test Students for Tuberculosis

The Grand Prairie Independent School District is warning parents about a possible case of tuberculosis.

Dallas County Health and Human Services notified the district on Monday about a high school senior who was getting tested for the infectious disease, Grand Prairie ISD officials said.

District leaders held a parent meeting Tuesday night and informed attendees that the affected student is showing signs of tuberculosis, but it has not been confirmed.

Preliminary test results reveal the student has been exposed to the illness, but tests results to confirm a diagnosis will not be available for six to eight weeks.

Meanwhile, the district has identified other students who may have been in close contact with the affected student and has sent out letters to their parents notifying them their child will be tested next week.

Officials estimate between 100 to 150 students will be given skin tests on May 20. Results of those tests will be available two days afterward.

Children who test positive on preliminary tests will need further testing done by the Dallas County Health and Human Services

Contact the Grand Prairie health information line at 972-237-5550 if you feel your child has been exposed to the disease. 

Dr. Gary Woo, Medical Director for the Dallas County Health and Human Services' Tuberculosis Clinic, said they had 195 people in Dallas County with TB in 2012. But the numbers have dropped drastically in recently years.

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