Schools
Health Officials Investigate a Tuberculosis Case at PCY
La Cañada Unified School District Superintendent Wendy Sinnette said Tuesday that it is an isolated case and described the level of risk to others "negligible.''
The La Canada Unified School District has had an isolated case of tuberculosis exposure in one kindergarten class at Paradise Canyon Elementary School, the district announced Tuesday.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) contacted district officials on April 10, according to Superintendent Wendy Sinnette. DPH feels that the level of risk is negligible to non-existent, she said. The student was identified because of contact with another out-of-district "index case" under investigation by DPH.
"Current exclusion of the student is not necessary because medication was started over spring break, which eliminates all potential risk for contagion now,'' she said.
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According to a statement from DPH, health officials are continuing "to work closely with the La Canada Flintridge Unified School District to identify any students or staff who may have had close contact with the individual and are offering them free testing and treatment as needed. Because of medical confidentiality and privacy, Public Health will not comment on the details of the individual case or their contacts.''
Sinnette said DPH has determined that the "risk stratification" is limited to the 20 students in the one Kindergarten class. But, the district was required to send a notification letter to parents. In that letter, administrators announced an informational meeting Tuesday night (tonight), sponsored by DPH at Paradise Canyon.
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The meeting’s agenda will consist of DPH providing parents with information, and supplying paperwork for anyone interested in optional testing - TB testing is not mandatory, which correlates to the level of risk DPH associates with the single case of exposure, Sinnette said.
The District is following all Department of Public Health protocols and procedures to ensure students’ and staffs’ health she added. If you have any questions regarding this investigation, please contact the Los Angeles Department of Public Health’s media office at 213-240-8144.
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