PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – The Multnomah County Health Department on Thursday confirmed one case of tuberculosis at Lane Middle School.
According to Oregon Health Authority data, in 2024, 87 cases of tuberculosis were reported in Oregon, or 2.1 cases for every 100,000 Oregon residents.
“Tuberculosis is a bacteria that spreads through close face-to-face contact with an infectious individual. It is curable with medication. Because the infection progresses slowly, it’s important to be treated to prevent serious illness,” the health department said in a statement.
The person may have been contagious between Sept. 3, 2024, and May 1, 2025, and may have exposed others to TB, according to MCHD.
“This particular individual had symptoms that were kind of mild for a while and got worse. It was eventually diagnosed like a week ago, said Dr. Richard Bruno, Health Officer with the Multnomah County Health Department.
The Health Department’s Communicable Disease Team has begun a contact investigation to identify individuals who may have had close or prolonged contact with the infected patient. Exposed individuals have been contacted by the Health Department via an email letter.
For now, the Health Department wants to remind Lane Middle School parents of the symptoms of active TB, which include:
- Persistent cough lasting 3+ weeks
- Chest pain
- Blood
- Phlegm
- Unexplained weight loss
Families or staff with questions have been advised to call the Multnomah County Health Department Tuberculosis Clinic at 503-988-3406.
The Health Department said it will provide free blood tests to the school community in the coming weeks.
Health officials said they are optimistic that community spread will not occur from this case, and there is little risk to the general public at this time. Currently, the Health Department is not aware of any cases connected to this patient.
For more information, visit the Multnomah County Health Department’s website.
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