LONGMONT — Public-health officials discovered several cases of latent tuberculosis among Longmont High School students, so testing of students and staff will be expanded, said the director of the Denver Metro Tuberculosis Control Program.
Dr. Randall Reves wouldn’t say Wednesday how many students’ blood tests indicated they had been infected. After a positive blood test, patients undergo X-rays to ensure they do not have active TB, which is contagious.
Officials originally tested 13 or 14 students and five staff members who shared more than one class with a student whose active case was reported Jan. 16. The student has not been identified.
Because latent TB was discovered in that group, officials now will test everyone who shared a class with the student — about 140 more students, Reves said.
Latent TB is not contagious, but patients need to be treated, Reves said.
