Some Students, Teachers At Kunsmiller To Be Tested After Possible TB Exposure
By Kathy Walsh
DENVER (CBS4)- There's a warning about possible exposure to tuberculosis at a Denver public school. Health officials say one individual has been diagnosed with the disease. Now, they plan to test students and faculty who may have been exposed.
The situation is at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, a K-12 Denver Public School with more than 1,000 students and about a hundred educators.
On Monday, a letter was sent home explaining that some of the students and faculty were potentially exposed to a person with tuberculosis during the fall semester.
Grandmother Jessica Maez learned about the situation from CBS4 Health Specialist Kathy Walsh.
"It's kind of scary," Maez said.
Dr. Robert Belknap said, "It does sound scary."
Belknap is director of the Metro TB Control Program at Denver Public Health. While tuberculosis can be deadly if untreated, he said Kunsmiller is safe.
"And we're very comfortable with business as usual at the school," said Belknap.
He explained TB usually affects the lungs and is spread through the air, not surfaces.
"Once school went on break, the risk for catching TB at the school went away," he added.
While he would not identify the infected person, Belknap said health officials have contacted all faculty and students believed to have been potentially exposed.
"We've made arrangements to test them at the school on Thursday this week," said Belknap.
Grandmother Jessica Maez still worries, "I don't want him to be exposed. He's got a younger brother. I've got 15 grandkids and I don't want any of them to be exposed to that."
Will Jones, spokesman for Denver Public Schools said, "We're very confident in the work that Denver Health is doing."
There will be a town hall meeting at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy on Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Health officials will answer questions about TB.
A letter was sent home to parents and caregivers about the possible exposure to TB.
Kathy Walsh is CBS4's Weekend Anchor and Health Specialist. She has been with CBS4 for more than 30 years. She is always open to story ideas. Follow Kathy on Twitter @WalshCBS4.
