Delaware County Health Department Confirms TB Case at Penn Wood Middle School

The Delaware County Health Department has issued a statement confirming that an individual at Penn Wood Middle School in the William Penn School District has tested positive for tuberculosis.^[0] The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have stated that tuberculosis is spread through the air, but not through activities such as shaking hands, sharing food or drink, or sitting in the same seat.

The CDC also noted that although tuberculosis is spread in a similar way to the cold or flu, it is not as contagious. According to county officials, a person would need to be in close contact with an infected individual for at least 15 hours per week in order to catch the infection.^[0]

The Delaware County Health Department has established a Wellness Line for those with questions or concerns regarding tuberculosis exposure. The line is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 484-276-2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.^[1]

The agency is working to identify those who may have been exposed to tuberculosis and is urging anyone with questions or concerns to contact the Wellness Line. A vaccine for TB is available but not widely used in the United States.^[2]

0. “Individual at Delco school tests positive for tuberculosis” KYW, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/penn-wood-middle-school-delaware-county-tb-tuberculosis

1. “Tuberculosis case reported in Delaware County, health department says” The Delaware County Daily Times, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.delcotimes.com/2023/01/23/tuberculosis-case-reported-in-delaware-county-health-department-says/

2. “Positive Tuberculosis Case Detected In Delco School District: Reports” Patch, 24 Jan. 2023, https://patch.com/pennsylvania/ardmore/positive-tuberculosis-case-detected-delco-school-district-reports