Public health continues to investigate case of tuberculosis at Moncton middle school

The New Brunswick health department is still looking for people who may have come into contact with a person at Sunny Brae Middile School in Moncton who was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) last week.

“I understand why parents are concerned, being a parent myself I would also be concerned,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Yves Leger.

READ MORE: Person at Sunny Brae Middle School in Moncton diagnosed with tuberculosis

But Leger assures parents that TB is curable if treated with antibiotics.

He says Public Health is working closely with the school to identify any students who may have come into contact with the infected person, and those who came into close contact with the victim will be tested for the disease.

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Tuberculosis is a lung infection that is spread through the air from one person to another through coughing. The bacteria usually enters through the airways and attacks the lungs. Symptoms can include, fever, night sweats, weight loss and loss of appetite.

“You may be coughing a lot more than usual if you were coughing previously, and coughing up blood,” said Leger, adding that TB can lie dormant in some people.

“It becomes dormant and it sleeps so the person is not contagious and they are well, they don’t even know they have been exposed.”

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Leger says only one in 10 people exposed to the disease will go on to develop symptoms.

But he says the Department of Health health is not taking any changes, following protocol and interviewing staff and students at the school to identify those most at risk.

“Our parents are obviously concerned because students and adults in the school system are in very close proximity to each other,” said Gregg Ingersoll, superintendent of the Anglophone East School district.

Ingersoll says classes will continue for students at the school.

“Even if you have been exposed to the bacteria and it is sleeping in your lungs and you are well you don’t have any symptoms you are not contagious and so there is no risk for anyone being in the school at this time,” Leger said.

He said they have also expanded their investigation outside of the school community, trying to get in contact with anyone who may have been in contact with the infected person.

An information session is being held at the school on Monday at 6 p.m. where Dr. Leger can address any parental concerns.