Southern Indiana School Tests Students, Teachers For TB

SELLERSBURG, Ind. (AP) — Southern Indiana health officials have tested nearly 200 students and teachers for tuberculosis at a Sellersburg school where a student has tested positive for the illness.

WLKY-TV reports the students and teachers underwent testing Tuesday at Rock Creek Community Academy, but the test results won't be available until Thursday.

Clark County Health Department Administrator Mike Meyer says the students and teachers who were tested were identified as possibly having close contact with the infected student.

Health officials plan to retest them before school starts in two months because tuberculosis has a long incubation period.

Tuberculosis bacteria typically attack the lungs but can also impact the kidneys and brain. If left untreated it can be deadly. The bacteria are typically transmitted from person to person through coughs and sneezes.