TB Alert at Seattle High School: What You Need to Know

The health department has confirmed that someone connected with Rainier Beach High School in Seattle is showing active tuberculosis. Because of this, they are urging about 130 people who spent time indoors with that person to get checked. The school will reach out directly to those who need a medical review and a TB test. Public Health is working closely with the school to figure out exactly who might have been exposed. Everyone—students, teachers, and families—will receive information this week, no matter how much time they spent near the infected individual. Tuberculosis spreads through the air when a person coughs or sneezes, but it is harder to catch than COVID‑19 or the flu. It usually requires long, close contact in a small room. In homes where one person has TB, only about one third of other people get infected.The student who was diagnosed is already on treatment and is no longer contagious. Most active TB cases can be cured with standard antibiotics over six to nine months. However, many people in King County carry a dormant form of TB that cannot be spread but could become active later. If someone is found to have latent TB, the department can help them finish a shorter course of treatment. TB mainly attacks the lungs but can also affect other body parts. In 2024, King County reported 110 new TB cases—roughly two each week. The department’s program focuses on diagnosing and curing active TB, while also screening high‑risk contacts to stop further spread. The school’s leadership has said they will keep the community informed and provide on‑site testing for those who had close contact. Their goal is to support everyone while ensuring safety.