A new case of tuberculosis (TB), a serious and potentially deadly lung disease, has been reported at Leesville High School in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The news comes just days after officials in another New England state confirmed multiple TB infections.
The school, which serves around 2,500 students from grades nine through 12, is now working with health authorities to manage the situation.
Health Officials Respond Quickly
Wake County officials confirmed that the individual, whose identity has not been released, was at the school last week.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is collaborating closely with Wake County Schools to identify and notify anyone who may have had close contact with the patient.
Parents received a notice from the county’s Communicable Disease division, informing them of a “situation affecting our school,” though the specific details were not disclosed initially.
TB was officially confirmed on Friday.
Understanding the Risk
While TB is known as the deadliest disease globally, claiming roughly 1.25 million lives each year—primarily in developing countries—officials stress that the risk to the general public remains low.
Dr. Dora Anne Mills, MaineHealth’s chief health improvement officer, emphasized that TB spreads only through close, prolonged contact.
Unlike flu or Covid, casual interactions like handshakes or sharing towels do not transmit the disease easily.
TB Trends in the U.S.
The United States has seen a slight increase in TB cases.
In 2024, there were 10,347 reported infections—an eight percent rise from 2023 and the highest since 2011.
In North Carolina, 215 cases were confirmed in 2023, up from 164 in 2022, marking nearly a decade-high.
Preliminary data suggest 250 cases in the state last year, with 128 reported so far in 2025.
Most TB cases in the U.S. are imported or linked to migration, according to the CDC.
Recent Cases in Maine
Maine officials recently reported three TB cases in the Greater Portland area.
There appeared to be no connection between the patients, suggesting separate sources of infection.
So far in 2025, Maine has recorded 28 cases, just below the 39 cases confirmed in 2024.
Public health authorities are tracing and isolating close contacts to prevent further spread.
Who Is Most at Risk
Children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to TB infection.
Early symptoms include a persistent cough, chest pain, or coughing up blood.
Patients may also experience unexplained weight loss, fever, night sweats, and loss of appetite.
If left untreated, TB can cause severe lung damage, respiratory failure, and even spread to other organs like the liver or spine.
Treatment and Prevention
Today, TB is preventable and treatable.
Antibiotics effectively treat the disease, and vaccination is available through the BCG vaccine.
While not routinely offered in the U.S. due to the low incidence of TB, the shot can be requested for children.
Adults can also receive it, though it is less effective and may cause a false positive in TB testing.
Globally, the vaccine is routinely given to children under 16 in countries where TB is more common.
Historical Perspective
In the 18th and 19th centuries, TB was often a death sentence due to a lack of effective treatment.
By the 1950s, the disease killed more than 16,000 Americans annually.
Today, that number has dropped dramatically to around 550 deaths each year, thanks to modern medicine and public health measures.
Staying Informed
Health officials urge calm and vigilance.
Anyone who may have been in close contact with TB patients will be contacted for testing.
While TB can be serious, most people do not need to worry about casual exposure, and early detection combined with treatment significantly improves outcomes.