No additional cases of TB found in initial testing at school

The Kay County Health Department continues its investigation after an individual was diagnosed with an active case of contagious tuberculosis.

The patient was a student at Ponca City High School but has been isolated from public contact after being diagnosed, said Kelli Rader, Kay County Health Department’s Administrative Director.

“We are in the midst of an investigation,” she said. “We only have one case of infectious tuberculosis that we are investigating that has a relationship with the school.”

She said the protocol in any tuberculosis investigation is to isolate any individual with active, infectious disease from public contact.

“We understand there are a lot of rumors and misinformation being spread about the disease, but we have no information of any other active cases related to the school,” she said.

Rader said the health department is doing skin testing of close contacts, which includes students who had contact with the patient.

“That’s where we are within the process,” Rader said Friday morning.

“I would encourage people who are hearing rumors to contact the county health department,” Rader said.

Ponca City Public Schools Superintendent Shelley Arrott said Friday that the testing of students started Wedneday and continues today. She said the health department is still reading results from tests given on Jan. 23, and no confirmed results of contagious tuberculosis have been reported.

Arrott said Ponca City Schools have fresh air ventilator systems to exchange classroom air with outside air, which lowers the chance of exposure to germs.