Olathe high school finds 6 ‘latent’ cases of tuberculosis after more testing

Kansas health authorities identified about 450 close contacts of the infected student. More than 300 have been tested during clinics on October 12 and November 14.
Six close contacts of an Olathe Northwest student have tested positive for tuberculosis so far, according to the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.

The department, alongside the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, began testing after a student tested positive for the infection last month. The student may have been contagious as early as last spring, leading to about 450 close contacts in need of a test.

Thus far, 314 people have received testing from the department or their primary care provider.

According to Johnson County health director Charlie Hunt, all six cases are latent, meaning people are not contagious and do not have symptoms. However, he says about 5% to 10% of latent cases, if not treated, become active, leading to symptoms such as a severe cough, chest pain and weight loss.

Active tuberculosis can also spread the bacteria to others, which is why Hunt urges those untested close contacts to consider coming in.