With 40% of tests positive for latent TB, all of Longmont High will be tested

Denver Post:

Students gather outside Longmont High School at the end of the school day Wednesday Feb. 08, 2012. All Longmont High School students and staff will be tested for tuberculosis, as a "larger than expected number" so far have shown positive results for latent TB, according to a letter from principal Rick Olsen. (Longmont Times-Call | LEWIS GEYER)

LONGMONT — About 40 percent of Longmont High School students and staff tested for tuberculosis have had positive results, a Denver Public Health official said Wednesday.

Dr. Randall Reves, director of the Denver Metro Tuberculosis Control Program, said that rate is unusual, but not unheard of.

Latent TB, unlike active TB, is not contagious. So far, the original case -- which was made public in early January -- is the only active case found in the school, Reves said.

TB cannot be transmitted unless a patient is actively ill, he said.

Because the rate of latent TB being found at the school has been higher than expected in the first two groups of students and staff tested, Reves has decided to test everyone at the school.

Read the rest of this report at TimesCall.com