Health officials were working Thursday to identify individuals who may have come into contact with a Beaumont High School student suffering from active tuberculosis to advise them to obtain TB screenings.
According to the Riverside County Department of Public Health, the youth, whose name was not disclosed, was diagnosed with the illness last month.
Beaumont Unified School District administrators are working with health officials to ensure anyone who was in close physical proximity to the teenager between Aug. 8 and Sept. 19 is aware there were potential exposure risks.
“Our entire community should be reassured by the collaborative efforts between our district and county health officials, who have worked tirelessly in their response,” BUSD Superintendent Mays Kakish said.
The health department and district are seeking to identify roughly 150 people who may have been exposed to the patient for the purpose of recommending that they be screened for TB.
“While the risk of infection is low, it’s recommended that individuals who receive the exposure notification letter be tested,” county Public Health Officer Dr. Geoffrey Leung said. “The test is quick and can provide peace of mind for both individuals and their families.”
Screening begins with a cursory skin test. If that turns up positive, the person is asked to take a chest X-ray to confirm infection.
Officials said they were uncertain where the patient contracted the pathogen. The teen is under home isolation and expected to fully recover.
Tuberculosis is spread through coughing, sneezing, singing or speaking. Infection generally requires prolonged or repeated exposure to the originating source. People cannot be infected through hand-shaking, kissing or handling bedding and toilet seats, according to medical sources.
Officials noted some people can be infected with TB without manifesting symptoms, which include fever, coughing, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and chest pain. Those with inactive TB are typically not infectious.
The number of county residents diagnosed with TB so far this year was not immediately available. However, officials said there were 60 confirmed cases in 2023.