Lakeville, Minn., Dec. 1, 2024 – School and public health officials are saying little about an active case of tuberculosis reported at Lakeville South High School.
As parents seek information about the report, neither the school nor Dakota County’s public health agency had any information about the Lakeville high school illness. Parents have had to rely on local media for information. Local officials have refused to even disclose whether the carrier was a student or a staff member. The agenda for the most recent ISD 194 school board meeting, Nov. 26, included no mention of tuberculosis nor parental concerns.
Tuberculosis has increased substantially since the start of the Biden administration, according to figures reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Hispanics and Asians account for more than two-thirds of the cases, according to a CDC report. https://www.cdc.gov/tb-surveillance-report-2023/tables/table-3.html
Earlier this month, more than 300 students at a Georgia high school were tested for tuberculosis after a similar report of infection. The state of Minnesota leaves decisions about testing students mainly to local health departments and schools. https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/tb/rules/students.html
Ukrainian immigrants waived in under a lenient federal program are supposed to be tested for tuberculosis. However, according to the county, immigrants can wait until 90 days after their arrival to be tested for the disease, which can be spread through the air. The local lab for such testing is in Lakeville.