DENTON - Tuberculosis concerns are moving from Ennis to Denton.
The exposure started back in August at Ennis High School, when a teacher tested positive for tuberculosis. It triggered hundreds of tests on students and staff members. So far, more than 200 people have tested positive for exposure and ten people are suspected to have active TB.
Denton ISD learned of a suspected case Wednesday afternoon. The district immediately sent an automated telephone message to the parents of 1,800 Denton high school students last night.
Notes were being sent home Wednesday with students, alerting everyone to the suspected TB case on campus.
Many parents said they have confidence the suspected case of TB at Denton High School has been caught early.
"As a parent, you're always concerned about any little thing," Charlene Maple said. "But I do know the school has it under control, and if it wasn't under control, my child wouldn't be here."
The infected student, a 16-year-old boy, is being treated at Denton Regional Medical Center after collapsing yesterday morning. His mother said her son did not exhibit the telltale cough of TB, but had sufferred from fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
The boy had been a student last year in the class of an Ennis high school teacher who has a confirmed case of tuberculosis.
Current classmates at Denton High school admit they are now worried.
"Everytime someone coughs," said student Sam Scalf, "They get scared that it might be tuberculosis."
"We're worried, yes, we are," said Jaklyn Flores, a student in the same art class with the sick student. "I'm worried. My mom's worried, too."
Denton County Health Department officials are planning to send medical permission slips home with students Friday. TB tests may take place on campus as early as Monday.
Those at highest risk will be tested first. Health authorities are still considering whether all students and family members need to be tested.
E-mail jstjames@wfaa.com
