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Commack High School Reports Tuberculosis Case

COMMACK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Officials at Commack High School on Long Island say someone associated with the school has been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall: It's Not Known If The Infected Person Is A Staff Member Or A Student

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The Suffolk County Department of Health alerted the school about the health issue, according to a statement on Commack School District's website.

The district says the unidentified person is getting treatment and that health officials say there is no further risk of transmission.

"A letter was mailed to the parents of all high school students and each high school staff member regarding this matter," the district's statement said. "The letter should be received today, Tuesday, October 11th, or tomorrow, October 12th. A separate letter was sent to all students and staff who were identified as having been in close and prolonged contact with this individual."

It was not clear if the infected person was a student or staff member.

Dr. Shaheda Iftikhar with the Suffolk County Department of Health says Commack parents shouldn't worry about sending their kids to school.

"At this time there is no danger of transmission because that individual has been taken out of the school setting so there is no chance of transmission at this time," Iftikhar told 1010 WINS.

The health department will hold meetings with parents on Thursday and Friday in the high school.

The department is also offering TB tests for anyone who fears they might have come into close contact with the patient.

The disease is caused by an infection transmitted through the air by a person with active TB.

Iftikhar said the only way to catch it is to have close contact with someone who has TB.

Symptoms include a bad cough that lasts more than three weeks, night sweats and coughing up blood or phlegm.

To read the full statement, click here.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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