Glynn Student Checked for TB There Has Been No Confirmation That the Child Has the Disease.

By TERESA STEPZINSKI

BRUNSWICK — Glynn County public health officials are investigating if a fourth- grader at Satilla Marsh Elementary School has tuberculosis.

Although there has been no confirmation of the airborne disease, Coastal Health District staff aided by Glynn County school officials Thursday notified the parents of the girl’s 21 classmates.

Administrators at the school telephoned the parents to let them know that a health department letter explaining the situation would be going home with the students that afternoon, said Jim Weidhaas, school system spokesman.

The girl has been absent from class since May 22, school officials said.

Today is the last day of classes for Glynn County students before the summer recess.

It will be about eight weeks before health department officials have the results of medical tests seeking to confirm the disease, said Sharon G. Smith, a registered nurse and manager of the health district’s health services program.

“The child is receiving medication and is in home-bound isolation,” Smith said.

In the letter, the Health Department recommends that children possibly exposed should be screened for the disease as a precaution.

The screenings will be offered from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Glynn County Health Department in Brunswick, according to the letter signed by W. Douglas Skelton, a physician and district health director.

Before the screening, there will be a question and answer session beginning at 8:30 a.m.

People who can’t bring their child to the screening may call the Health Department at (912) 264-3961 to schedule another time.

Tuberculosis is spread when a person inhales airborne germs over a long period of time in a confined area from someone with the disease who coughs or sneezes.teresa.stepzinski@jacksonville.com, (912) 264-0405

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