MADISON, Ala. — Administrators have notified at least some families with children at Bob Jones High School about a tuberculosis case involving a student there.
The letters were sent out on Monday informing some parents that an unidentified student had been diagnosed with the disease. In it, administrators stressed that students and staff are no longer at any risk of contracting the disease.
Officials said they consulted with the Alabama Department of Public Health regarding the situation. It was not immediately clear how many families were notified via the letter.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and other parts of the body. It can be spread through the air under certain circumstances.
While the number of cases in the United States has risen in recent years, it remains rare, with fewer than 10,000 diagnoses annually.
In 2023, 92 tuberculosis cases were recorded in all of Alabama, an increase from 65 in 2022. That's according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
FOX54 contacted the Madison City School District about the matter Monday afternoon. On Tuesday, a spokesperson responded with an email mirroring the content of the letter sent to parents.
Messages left with county and state health departments were not returned Monday.
Classes remained scheduled at Bob Jones High School and there was no indication that any activities had been canceled or were otherwise affected.
Those with questions regarding procedures that were enacted were directed to contact the MCS System Supervising Nurse, Becky Tucker, at 256-464-8370 or rktucker@madisoncity.k12.al.us.