Catholic school board sends letter after student tests positive for TB
Posted April 4, 2011 1:39 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Toronto Catholic School Board is sending a precautionary letter home to parents after a student at an east-end elementary school tested positive for tuberculosis.
A single student at St. Maria Goretti Catholic school, in the Kennedy Road and Eglinton Avenue area, is currently responding well to treatment for the disease, and remains at home in isolation.
Staff, students and parents at the Scarborough school have already been alerted about the situation, although it is not clear when they were told. Reports indicated the positive lab results could have come as early as last Tuesday.
Toronto Public Health Officials attempted to ease parents’ fears, telling them there is no need to worry, because tuberculosis is not easily transmitted. While it is a serious disease, officials reminded the public it is still highly treatable.
Tuberculosis can be spread through coughing and sneezing, but generally only through prolonged contact.
Major symptoms of tuberculosis include weight loss, a persistent cough, fever and feelings of tiredness. Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs.
Toronto Public Health has asked parents of any students at St. Maria Goretti to contact them should their child display any of the symptoms.
