Local News

Brooklyn Schools Open Despite TB Scare

BROOKLYN (CBS) ― Parents in Brooklyn were warned to be on the lookout for tuberculosis symptoms in their children after a student contracted the deadly infectious disease.

Despite the tuberculosis scare, classes will not be canceled Wednesday at  P.S. 25 and I.S. 234 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The decision made by school and health officials has angered parents like Tawanda Murray.

"It's scary. They're just telling us. That's terrible, real terrible," said Murray.

City health officials insist the situation involving the unidentified infected kindergartner is under control. In a written statement, they said:

"Early in June a student contracted tuberculosis. The school then notified the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene which held a meeting with parents on June 11."

Health officials plan to test students with parental consent, while the infected student recovers at home.  But for Murray, the protocol doesn't go far enough.

"It's scary. I can't even send my daughter to school from this point on because I'm just scared that it can infect my whole family," Murray told CBS 2 HD.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the tuberculosis disease is caused by a bacteria that can linger in the air for several hours. The germs are put into the air by a person who coughs, sneezes, speaks, or even sings.  Although the disease usually attacks the lungs, it can also affect the brain, spine, and kidneys.  Tuberculosis can be treated with a series of medications over a 6 to 12 month period. If gone untreated, the disease can be fatal.

The symptoms of tuberculosis include feelings of sickness or weakness, incessant coughing, loss of appetite, night sweats, coughing up blood, chest pain, chills, fever, and weight loss.

It is important for someone who suspects they may have come in contact with the bacteria to check with their doctor as soon as possible to be tested.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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