150 Florin High Students, Staff Will Be Tested For Tuberculosis In Sacramento

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Health officials are working fast after a high-school student tested positive for tuberculosis.

The case at Florin High School comes less than a year after a major outbreak at Grant High School, and now the focus is on preventing the infection's spread.

The Florin High case was discovered late last week, but by that time, the student had already possibly exposed others to the serious respiratory bacteria.

Health officials say they have identified about 150 students and staff members at the school who will need to be tested for tuberculosis.

"When the person with the active disease coughs or sneezes they release bacteria into the air, and the bacteria may remain in the air for quite a while," said Sacramento County medical officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye.

She says the student likely got it from home, where another family member is suspected to have it.

While there is a tuberculosis vaccine available, she says it's not used in the United States.

"It's not every effective," she said.

It's only required when a child may be exposed to the disease regularly, but often times, it still doesn't work.

The Florin High case comes less than a year after the Grant High outbreak. After testing, an additional four students were diagnosed with active tuberculosis.

"Our No. 1 concern is for the safety and well being of our students, our staff and of course the Florin community," said Xathi Pinkerton with the Elk Grove School District.

Pinkerton says the school has rooms with self-contained air systems, which likely limited exposure.

"They deemed it was only necessary for those student who came in direct contact, more prolonged contact to be screened."