The Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services (DCHHS) has notified officials at IrvingISDthat a student at Nimitz High School is currently being treated for tuberculosis (TB).
The DCHHS has recommended education and free testing for students and staff who may have been in contact with the student during the spring semester of the 2012-2013 school year. The DCHHS will offer free testing to those students and staff at Nimitz High School on Wednesday, September 18.
Irving ISD and Nimitz High School officials are communicating with students, staff and parents. A letter has been mailed to every parent; the principal has met with the school staff; and for those identified as having possible exposure, an automated call has been made and the campus principal is having face-to-face conversations with them about the free testing offered by the DCHHS. Information is also posted on the Irving ISD website.
According to the DCHHS, people who come in contact with a person infected with TB disease must have prolonged exposure over several hours with that person in an enclosed environment for days at a time in order for the disease to infect them. Both TB infection and TB disease are treatable and curable.
Privacy laws prevent the school or health department from releasing the student’s name and identity. However, if parents have other questions about the situation, they may contact Nimitz High School. If parents have questions or concerns about their child’s health, school officials recommend that parents contact their family physician or the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services at www.dallascounty.org/hhs.
