South Portland High School on Thursday reported one case of tuberculosis, a bacterial infectious disease that typically affects the lungs.
“TB bacteria are spread into the air when a person with TB disease coughs, speaks, or sings,” according to a letter from Superintendent Tim Matheny to the South Portland community. “People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. The possibility of spreading TB infection is low; therefore, it is recommended that only those students and staff who may have had close contact with this individual be tested. All close contacts have already been notified.”
Maine has reported 10 cases of tuberculosis through July, according to the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were 18 cases reported for all of 2022.
Tuberculosis symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain, chills, fatigue, night sweats and pain while breathing.
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