Tuberculosis case confirmed at San Benito High School; students and staff to be tested

SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — More than a hundred students and staff members are encouraged to get tested following a confirmed case of Tuberculosis at San Benito High School.

The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District stated it has "fully responded and cooperated" with the Cameron County Health Department following the notification of the confirmed case.

The district said that the health department provided medical guidance for addressing the situation.

"Their recommendations were critical and necessary so that San Benito CISD could proceed with the identification of students and staff that needed initial testing," San Benito CISD stated.

On Wednesday, the district identified a list of students and staff recommended for testing, which included 14 students, 12 VMA students and six staff members. The testing will be conducted on April 8 at the San Benito High School gymnasium from 9 a.m. until noon.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis, or TB, is caused by a bacteria that typically attacks the lungs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated. However, TB bacteria is also able to attack other areas of the body, such as the kidneys, spine and brain.

Some of the symptoms of tuberculosis include a bad cough that lasts longer than three weeks, pain in the chest, and coughing up blood.

ValleyCentral spoke with Esmeralda Guajardo, the health administrator for Cameron County Public Health to get more information. Guajardo said TB can be similar to COVID-19, in terms of the symptoms, but is not as infectious.

"What is not similar, is that in order for someone to be infected by it, you have to spend a lot of time with that person," Guajardo said.

She said she does not expect a high number of positive cases, but the department is prepared if that is the case.

According to the CDC, not everyone who becomes infected will become sick. However, if not treated properly, tuberculosis could be fatal.