November 15, 2007

TB testing at Syosset High School
and Nassau Community College

The Nassau County Department of Health met with Syosset’s Superintendent and High School officials on November 14th because an individual in the school was recently hospitalized and is receiving treatment for tuberculosis.  At the recommendation of the Nassau County Department of Health, the high school today notified the high school population about the exposure and advised those individuals who were in close and prolonged contact that they should be tested for TB.

The department will proceed with testing for TB on site at the high school on Tuesday, November 27th.  Approximately 330 staff, students and recent graduates will be tested.   Individuals tested will have the  Tuberculin Skin Test evaluated in school on November 30th by the health department.  Because of the incubation period for TB,  a second test for TB is recommended in two months.  The Department of Health will return to the school to conduct the second testing in mid-January 2008.

The school and health department will be holding an informational meeting on Monday, November 19th at 6:00 P.M. at Syosset High School.

In response to an unrelated exposure to tuberculosis, on November 16th, the Nassau County Department of Health will be conducting testing for tuberculosis at Nassau Community College for approximately 200 individual exposed to a person

currently being treated for TB.  The college has notified the school population.