Health Dept. confirms tuberculosis case at McGary Middle School

VANDERBURGH CO., Ind. (WFIE) - Parents at McGary Middle School in Evansville have been notified by the health department that there is an active case of tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a serious disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air.

Health officials say TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys or the spine.

Health officials say it is common to have TB cases each year, but parents were notified since the case is someone at school.

“We’re still very much in the early stages of the contact investigation,” said Ashely Libbert, the supervisor for nursing at the health department. “So I cannot give a definite number of individuals, but within McGary Middle School, looking at the students and the staff, we’re looking at about 400 [people].”

Officials say they are working with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation and school staff to test everyone who has been exposed.

“It’s really recommended that if you have been identified as an individual that has been exposed to this case of tuberculosis, that you be tested and treated. We will have a testing event at McGary Middle School on Wednesday the 10th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” Libbert said.

Click here to read the letter sent to McGary Middle School families.

Health officials say McGary will remain open as they monitor the situation and try to mitigate any spread.

We have reached out to EVSC officials. They tell us they have no comment and referred us to the Vanderburgh County Health Department.

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