Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Lorna Benson

Tuberculosis case sparks testing at St. Louis Park High School

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

St. Louis Park High School will offer on-site tuberculosis testing for 166 students and staff who were exposed to someone with an active TB lung infection at the school.

The Hennepin County Public Health Department said the patient sought medical care in November.

Because the risk of transmission is low, the department was able to take time to identify the specific individuals who should be tested, said Dean Tsukayama, the state tuberculosis consultant for the Minnesota Department of Health and the medical director of the Hennepin County Public Health Clinic.

"But we do need to identify who might be at risk of TB in the future and treat them before they get TB," said Tsukayama. "I don't think there's any reason to panic in this situation."

The testing is set for later this month for affected people.

If there's more transmission within that group than expected, officials will expand the tests, said Tsukayama.

Minnesota identifies about 150 tuberculosis infections annually. Approximately two-thirds of those cases are lung infections that are contagious and require a contact investigation by public health authorities.