LAKEVILLE, Minn. — A person at Lakeville South High School has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, but officials say the "vast majority" of the students and staff are not at high risk.
School officials sent a letter to families and staff to inform them about the active tuberculosis case, while adding that "there is no further risk of exposure at the school."
In a statement, the school said it's worked with public health officials to determine that only a "small group" of individuals were in close contact with the individual, and said they have been notified and will be screened.
The full statement reads:
The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our number one priority. We can confirm that an individual at Lakeville South High School was diagnosed with active tuberculosis. Lakeville Area Schools partnered closely with Dakota County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health to support a thorough contact investigation. Only a small group of individuals was determined to be close contacts. They have been communicated with directly and will be screened. The vast majority of students and staff are not at high risk for exposure to active tuberculosis, and there is no further risk of exposure at the school.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, there were 160 new cases of active tuberculosis (TB) reported throughout the state in 2023, an increase from 2022 when 132 cases were reported. Active TB can be deadly if left untreated, however, it it's quite rare. According to the MDH, active TB caused eight deaths in 2022.
The disease is transmitted through the air, typically when someone with TB coughs, sneezes or talks. It cannot be transmitted from shaking hands or from sharing foods, and health officials say it is treatable with antibiotics.
