Edmonton students to be tested for tuberculosis

A student at Austin O’Brien High School has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, a potentially deadly illness.

According to Edmonton Catholic Schools spokesperson Lori Nagy, The student was diagnosed on January 14th.

As a result, 125 students at the school will be tested on Friday, with results expected to come back on Monday.

Letters were sent home to parents at the school informing them about the situation.

"The health and safety of all students is our first priority." Debbie Rowley, principal of Austin O’Brien writes in the letter. "Alberta Health Services is testing for exposure to TB only. Please be assured that Alberta Health Services feels the risk to other students in the school is very low."

Tuberculosis germs are spread through the air when someone carrying the germs coughs, sneezes or talks. People who have been in contact with someone who has the illness cannot spread the germs unless they contact the sickness themselves.

To test for tuberculosis, a nurse injects a small amount of liquid under the forearm. Within 42-78 hours a nurse will examine the injection site to see if there is a bump on the arm, and to measure the size of the bump.

The likelihood of contracting tuberculosis from someone in the same classroom is considered to be low.