A contagious disease has now made its way into Boerne Middle School South.
Health officials say that an individual at the school tested positive for tuberculosis, although the person has not been present at the school all month.
The news is concerning to many parents.
“I was kind of shocked,” one parent said. “I'm just thinking, Why would this child have this?”
Tuberculosis affects the lungs. The disease is preventable and can be cured. It can also live in the body without making a person physically sick. Tuberculosis spreads through the air when people are close together.
“If this child has a sibling and they were exposed, does that make the other children exposed that go to the other schools?” another parent asked. “Does the concern reach the other campuses because of siblings in the house?”
The school district and state health officials said in a statement on Wednesday that they will be notifying parents of students who may have been exposed to this individual, but they won't have conclusive answers for at least a month. That’s because it can take eight to 10 weeks for a test to come up positive.
“We hope Boerne administration is honest and upfront so we can prevent the spread of this around our community,” one parent said in an email to KENS 5.
The health department will be providing free blood tests for students who may have been exposed and free medication for those who test positive.
Testing will begin on March 21, and they may have to test again several weeks later to make sure there is no infection. Until then, students are expected to attend school as usual.
The Middle School will be hosting two Community Meetings:
-Community Meeting No. 1: Boerne Middle School South campus, Thursday, February 22 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
En español in the BMSS Library
In English in the BMSS Cafeteria
-Community Meeting No. 2: Boerne Middle School South campus, Tuesday, February 27 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
En español in the BMSS Library
In English in the BMSS Cafeteria