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BOISE, Dec. 4, 2024 – Central District Health has confirmed that an individual residing in the Meridian High School Attendance area has been diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). The individual attended Meridian High School between August and November 2024.
There is no known ongoing risk for TB exposure at the school and it is safe for students and staff to attend school and participate in activities as usual. The general public is not at an increased risk of getting TB as a result of this case.
CDH is working with Meridian High School and West Ada School District to conduct a contact investigation to identify if any TB transmission might have occurred at the school. In the following days, letters will be sent to all staff and parents of students who potentially came in contact with the individual and need TB testing.
No persons other than those contacted directly by CDH will need to take action. Staff and students who are notified that they may have been exposed are encouraged to get tested for TB through their primary care provider, Central District Health, or the local health district closest to them. A free testing clinic for exposed students and staff will be held 5 to 7:30 p.m. on January 2, 2025 at the Meridian Library at 1326 W. Cherry Lane in Meridian. To schedule an appointment for testing at this clinic, please call (208) 321-2245 or email swright@cdh.idaho.gov.
About Tuberculosis
TB is a disease caused by bacteria spread through the air, usually through repeated and prolonged exposure in a confined indoor space. It often affects the lungs but may also affect other parts of the body.
• Most people who are exposed to TB do not get infected.
• People who are infected cannot give TB to others unless they are sick with TB.
• Typical symptoms of tuberculosis disease are a chronic cough, fever, or night sweats that are persistent for several weeks and usually get worse.
People experiencing chronic symptoms who think they may have been exposed to TB should call their primary care provider. Most cases of TB are treatable with antibiotics that are commonly available.
Tuberculosis in Idaho
In Idaho, there were fifteen TB cases reported in 2023, five of which were in Ada County. TB case counts and information are tracked by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and can be found here.
Additional facts about TB are available on the Central District Health website here.
About Central District Health
CDH, Public Health District IV, is one of seven public health districts within the state of Idaho, serving the counties of Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley. With a vision of Healthy People in Healthy Communities, CDH’s emphasis is on decreasing risk factors for chronic disease, improving quality of life and increasing the years of healthy life among residents.
Contact:
Trent Young, PIO Specialist
Office: 208-327-8525 | Cell: 208-224-1089
tyoung@cdh.idaho.gov | cdh.idaho.gov/news
Maria Ortega, Communications ManagerOffice: 208-327-8639 | Cell: 208-871-1712
mortega@cdh.idaho.gov | cdh.idaho.gov/news
Follow @cdhidaho (FB, Twitter & Instagram)
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