Letter concerning TB Plan

Dear Parents, Guardian, and Faculty,

In keeping the health and safety of our students and faculty a high priority, we want to inform you of a possible exposure to tuberculosis (TB) from a teacher at Kahuku High & Intermediate School. We are taking appropriate steps to ensure everyone’s well-being. Kahuku High & Intermediate’s administrators are working closely with the Department of Health (DOH) Tuberculosis Control Program who has evaluated the situation and is providing guidance to the school.

The DOH thoroughly assessed the risk of TB transmission at the school and at this time, it is NOT recommended that all students and faculty be tested for TB. Only those students and faculty whom the DOH has identified as having contact in the same classroom contact with the teacher who has TB, and therefore do not need to be tested t this time. If you still have concerns, you may bring your child to your family physician to be tested.

An informational session for parents and guardians has been scheduled to discuss the situation:

Date: February 7, 2008 (Thursday)
Time: 7:00-8:00 pm
Location: Band Room at Kahuku High & Intermediate School

School administrators and DOH representatives will be available to provide TB education and answer any questions you might have. Until then, if you have any questions, please call the Hawaii Tuberculosis Control Program at 832-5731.

Enclosed are some “Questions and Answers about Tuberculosis (TB)”. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter and for working together to help Kahuku High & Intermediate School ensure a safe and caring learning environment.

Respectfully,

Glenn M Wasserman, M.D., M.P.H.
Chief, Communicable Disease Division
Hawaii State Department of Health

Lisa DeLong
Principal
Kahuku High & Intermediate School

More information:
You can attend the informational session that has been scheduled or feel free to call the Tuberculosis Control Program at 832-5731. You can also visit the following websites:

Hawaii State Department of Health Tuberculosis Control Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Tuberculosis Elimination