GAUTIER, Miss.- One student at Gautier High School has been diagnosed with Tuberculosis, according to the Mississippi Department of Health.
A letter sent by the Pascagoula School District to parents said the health department will work with the school district to identify and test those who may have been exposed. Classes will resume at Gautier High School on Wednesday.
The State Health Department will have a meeting on the matter for parents at the Singing River Academy Auditorium on Tuesday at 6 p.m. to provide further information and answer any questions parents may have.
According to the Mississippi Department of Health officials, there has been no ongoing or current risk of exposure, and the chance of infection is minimal from this case.
The student with Tuberculosis has been out of school since before the Christmas break. The health department does not know when or how the student got the disease, but their focus now is to prevent it from spreading.
The Tuberculosis bacteria is spread through the air, direct contact over an extended period of time, not through casual contact.
The Mississippi Health Department has identified about 100-150 students at Gautier High who may have been in contact with the infected student.
As a precaution, the Mississippi Health Department will notify and test those students. The testing date is January 13. The student with Tuberculosis will not be allowed to return to school until he or she has fully recovered.
However, it is safe for all students and staff to return to school as scheduled on Wednesday.
