Flathead students tested for TB following diagnosis

Nurses began testing students for tuberculosis at Flathead High School on Wednesday morning following a diagnosis at the school Tuesday.

The Flathead City-County Health Department reported that about 200 students could have been exposed to the bacterial disease due to contact with the infected student, who contracted tuberculosis abroad and is currently being treated in isolation.

The number of potential exposures is not intimidating the health department, according to Flathead City-County Health Officer Hillary Hanson. Overall, the health department is “handling it well,” she said Wednesday. All possibly exposed students and their families have been notified, and nurses began testing students for tuberculosis at Flathead High School on Wednesday morning. As of that afternoon, 115 tests had been completed.

Hanson said that many of the students not tested yet were waiting until after vacations for spring break — not an issue, since the test is not required immediately.

“This is one of those things that is urgent but not an emergency,” she said. “We encouraged those who were concerned about travel plans to not worry about it...We want you to be tested soon but it doesn’t need to happen tomorrow. ”

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that targets the lungs, kidney, spine and brain. It is acquired through breathing in contaminated droplets of another person’s cough or sneeze; it cannot spread through contact with clothing, drinking glasses, eating utensils, handshakes, toilets or other surfaces.

About 25 parents attended a tuberculosis information session held Tuesday afternoon at Flathead High School. Dr. Jeff Tjaden, an infectious disease specialist at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, was on hand to answer questions. Hanson said that one common source of confusion is the nature of the testing itself, a skin test under the arm that involves a needle. Though it resembles a vaccination, it is not one, nor are tuberculosis vaccinations common in the United States. The vast majority of students have not been vaccinated for tuberculosis, she said.

Another information session was held in the school’s auditorium on Wednesday afternoon.

Overall, the response has “been a great collaboration between Kalispell Regional, the schools and the health department,” said Hanson.

The health department is maintaining an open phone line specifically designated for tuberculosis questions. If you were unable to make the information sessions and would like more information or the opportunity to speak with a nurse, call 751-8219.

Reporter Adrian Horton can be reached at ahorton@dailyinterlake.com or at 758-4439.