GEORGETOWN, Del.- The Delaware Division of Public Health and the Indian River School District announced Tuesday that approximately 50 individuals at Georgetown Elementary School in Sussex County may have been exposed to someone with active tuberculosis.
DPH is contacting those who may have been exposed to tuberculosis, to offer free screenings and treatment if needed. DPH and school administrators met with the school's staff on Monday to provide them with information on the next steps that will be taken.
Officials say that students who have been identified for testing would be sent home Tuesday with letters containing testing information and a fact sheet.
Indian River School District Superintendent Mark Steele said that testing and treatment is taking place as a way to take precautions.
“In consulting with the Division of Public Health, we believe the risk of transmission in this case to be low,” Steele said. “However, as a precautionary measure, we join DPH in recommending that certain individuals be tested for the disease. We have facilitated testing for those individuals determined to be in need of screening. The Indian River School District is committed to taking every possible precaution to assure the health and safety of students, staff and parents.”
According to DPH, not all people who are exposed to someone with TB will become infected, for more information on the disease you can visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Website at https://www.cdc/gov/tb/default.htm or the Division of Public Health at https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/tbfaq.pdf.
