St. Lucie Health Department launches investigation after student diagnosed with tuberculosis

PORT ST. LUCIE Fla. –- The St. Lucie County Health Department is investigating a case of tuberculosis involving a student at Centennial High School in Port St. Lucie.

The student has been taken out of school and the health department plans to test about 135 students and staff members who may have been in close contact with the sick teenager.

Larry Lee, the administrator with the health department, says there is no need for panic.

"It's not an emergency situation. This is a routine public health procedure that we go through but obviously when it's a school with 25-hundred students, it creates a lot more concern," said Lee.

Currently, there are 18 active TB cases in St. Lucie County.

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that usually attack the lungs.

Letters are going home Monday with students explaining the situation. If you have questions, you can call the health department between 8 am and 5 pm at (772) 462-3947.

More information on TB is available at www.stluciecountyhealth.com and  www.cdc.gov/tb .