A tuberculosis outbreak has been reported at a prestigious private Catholic school in San Francisco, where at least three individuals have been diagnosed with active cases of this lung infection.
To manage the situation at Archbishop Riordan High School, which charges $28,000 per year in tuition, city health officials have mandated that all students and staff undergo tuberculosis testing by February 20. Those who do not comply will not be allowed on campus.
Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, commented that closed environments make infections easy to spread. She noted that the situation at the school, with three clusters identified, is quite serious.
The initial cases were detected in mid-November, leading health officials to test all 1,500 students at the institution.
Since then, two additional cases have emerged, with a third case reported recently. This development restarts the investigation timeline, requiring the entire school community to be retested to ensure there are no further undetected infections.
“Everyone seems to be getting along,” remarked junior Alejandro Rosales about the situation. “Now we have to get tested.”
In response to the outbreak, various school events, including basketball games, have been canceled. Additionally, health authorities are advising school members to wear masks similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
School President Tim Reardon assured that all necessary precautions are being taken to prioritize the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and their families, along with a commitment to keep the community informed.
This costly institution, which became coeducational in 2020, offers a range of amenities, including a sailing team.
Tuberculosis, historically known as “consumption,” is transmitted through the air via coughs, sneezes, or even speech. While it is treatable with antibiotics over several months, untreated infections can be deadly.
