Tuberculosis case sparks investigation into Brownsville daycare

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Cameron County Public Health Department is investigating a case of Tuberculosis linked to a Brownsville daycare.

Esmeralda Guajardo, Cameron County Health Administrator, confirmed that the county is looking into the positive case linked to Kiddie City Academy in Brownsville.

The county was informed about the case on Thursday, March 6.

ValleyCentral spoke with Blanca Rodriguez, director of the daycare, who stated all 90 of her employees and children have been tested for tuberculosis following the incident.

Rodriguez said the testing took place on Wednesday.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tuberculosis, also referenced as TB, is a disease caused by germs that spread from person to person through the air.

The signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for include, cough, chest pain, and coughing up blood.

Testing for TB includes a blood test and TB skin test which are both effective in testing for the infection.

Guajardo said Cameron County is one of the top 10 counties in the state with TB cases each year.

The health authority said the protocol when someone tests positive for TB requires an extensive response.

Rodriguez says it is business as usual at Kiddie City Academy.

"We do not stop operations at a site of a contact investigation, but we do ask for the facility’s cooperation to assist with identifying individuals who may have been exposed," Guajardo stated. "Fortunately, the day care involved in this situation has been extremely cooperative and helpful."