Results of Tuberculosis testing at Franklin Schools released

Franklin City Schools has been notified by the Warren County Combined Health District that a recent suspected case of Tuberculosis is not infectious after additional testing.

FIRST REPORT: Warren health district working to confirm TB diagnosis in Franklin Jr. High student

“Following the recommendations of the Ohio Department of Health, no TB testing of any students is necessary because there was an extremely low possibility of exposure to active TB,” said Alicia Habermehl, health district spokeswoman, in a statement. “This case of Tuberculosis had further testing. Required confirmation testing determined this case was not infectious.”

If there are any changes in this recommendation, students and parents will be notified, she said.

Tuberculosis is an airborne pathogen that is typically transmitted indoors because sunlight kills the germs quickly. The germ can only survive in the air for a short period of time, according to a previous statement from the health district.

School officials notified the health department on Sept. 7 about a suspect/clinically diagnosed case of TB at the junior high school. School officials were advised it was safe to resume classes on Sept. 10 at the school located at 126 E. Sixth St. As a precaution, school personnel thoroughly cleaned and sanitized the school on Sept. 9.

“The student who was affected will need a doctor’s not to return to school,” Dr. Michael Sander, Franklin Schools superintendent, previously said. “It’s not an active case of TB because the tests came back negative. That’s great news.”

“I think it’s a big thing,” Sander said. “We had great cooperation between the school district and the health district and we kept the community informed. Our number one concern was to do what the health department said to do and I hope the community feels they were kept informed.”

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