El Paso’s Department of Public Health is investigating the possible TB exposure at Hanks High School. Officials believe a student came in close contact with someone who had an active case of TB. Robert Resendes is the director of the city’s Public Health Department. He says free testing will be available to those who may have been exposed. Health officials say the bacterial illness isn’t easily transmitted and requires extensive exposure to spread. It can be contracted by breathing in infected droplets from the cough or sneeze of a person with active TB. Symptoms include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, fever, night sweats and chronic weakness.
Texas officials investigating possible tuberculosis exposure.