TEACHER TESTS POSITIVE FOR ACTIVE TB

Tom Regan, WSB-TV

January 19, 2011

ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- Some metro Atlanta parents were notified this week that their children came in contact with someone diagnosed with a case of active tuberculosis, Channel 2 Action News confirmed.

A parent, who agreed to speak to Channel 2 Action News reporter Tom Regan on condition of anonymity, said he received a letter stating that his 19-month-old daughter may have been exposed. He provided Regan with a copy of the letter.

Regan tracked down officials with the Forsyth County Health Department, who confirmed that 15 letters were sent home Tuesday to parents of pre-school students advising of the possible exposure to TB at Oak Grove Academy in the 3400 block of Francis Road in Alpharetta.
Health department officials told Regan they were first notified on Jan. 13 that a teacher at Oak Grove had sought medical care for TB. That teacher is now on leave, health department officials said.

“It’s not a dangerous situation, but one of concern,” said a Health department representative. “Parents should get their kids tested.”

Nurses will be on hand Friday to offer skin tests to students, health department officials said. If the test results are positive, a chest extra would follow, health department officials said.
Co-workers of the teacher have already been tested, but the results are not yet known, health department officials said.

Regan tried to get a comment from Oak Grove, but a school representative said the owner wouldn’t be available to comment until Thursday.