A tuberculosis scare on Long Island had more than 100 students and staff at Sachem High School East in Coram rolling up their sleeves for testing after a potential exposure. The nerve-wracking situation unfolded when a classmate tested positive for tuberculosis, prompting school officials to swing into action. The infected disease can lurk in the body without any signs, so the school fired off letters to 116 students and seven staff members to notify them of the possible exposure and provide free testing.
Students like Kaylee Dean were on edge, with some even altering their social interactions in response to the news. “I know a couple of my friends who have classes with them they got letters. So I’m like ‘Stay away a little bit,'” shared Kaylee, reflecting the concern rippling through the school community. The Suffolk County Health Department swooped in on Monday to conduct free testing for potentially exposed students, trying to contain any further spread of the disease.
Superintendent Patti Trombetta reassured everyone that no new cases had surfaced as of Wednesday, offering a small sigh of relief. However, the absence of confirmed cases did little to calm the nerves of parents like Michael Dean, who wished for a broader alert to be issued. Despite the worry circulating, Dr. Sharon Nachman, the director of infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, emphasized the importance of early detection and treatment for tuberculosis. If caught promptly, the disease can be managed to prevent it from escalating into a more severe condition.
