A staff member at Westside Elementary School at Thermal has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis, possibly exposing as many as 160 students to the illness, county health officials said Monday.
While the unidentified staff member is receiving treatment and expected to recover, health officials are working to identify which students and staff may have been exposed to the illness.
Letters have been sent to parents and guardians of the students who may have been exposed, while Westside staff members are being notified by the school.
A tuberculosis testing clinic will be held at the campus at 82225 Airport Blvd. sometime next month. Parents who receive letters from the county health department are urged to have their child tested during next month’s clinic, according to Riverside County’s public health officer.
“While the risk of infection is low, it’s important that parents who receive the notification letter get their child tested,” Dr. Cameron Kaiser said. “The testing is quick and can provide peace of mind for both parents and children.”
Tuberculosis, which can be treated and cured with antibiotics, is spread through the air during repeated close contact with an infected individual. It is not spread by shaking hands, sharing food or drink, or via bed linens or toilet seats.
Not everyone who is infected exhibits symptoms, which include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. If left untreated, TB can result in serious complications.