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Parents ask questions about recent TB case

Posted at 11:17 PM, Dec 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-02 00:17:39-05

This week Benson High School parents learned that a student at the school tested positive for the bacterial infection that is contagious, tuberculosis.

On Thursday night, a couple dozen families were at the high school to get their questions answered after the recent TB announcement.

While some were satisfied with the answers others are still worried their kids may get the bacteria.

Olivia Tucker got a letter saying her son is one of the 193 students who will have to get the test.

“Earlier today he just text me that he was afraid to be at school because he wasn't sure if the other kid was here or not,” said Tucker.

Other parents questioned why every student isn’t getting tested.

“It's kind of a big deal because they say that it's airborne and everything and their talking and kids yelling, screaming running through the halls. I mean just walking by you can probably get it,” said parent Norma Ningett.

The Douglas County Health Department held a presentation addressing some of these concerns stating students can't get TB from just walking in the hallways or eating at the cafeteria. Only students who've been in close contact for a long time with the ill student are at risk.

But that's not settling some parents' nerves.

“To find out that it's been 10 days before they even announced it to anyone is just kind of a shock,” said Ningett.

Other parents will let their kids take the test even if they aren’t the 193 selected.

“I probably will just to be on the safe side,” said parent Doris Lewis.

The blood testing will happen at Benson High School starting next Tuesday throughout the rest of the week during school hours.