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SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 152
August 13, 1999 |
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | Paul D. Stapleton
Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Screening for Tuberculosis Disease and Infection |
The Department of Education has been notified by The Department of Health's (VDH) Division of Tuberculosis Control of a recently issued new policy and recommendations regarding screening for tuberculosis disease and infection. This policy is consistent with published national guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services. VDH's new guidelines may alter the annual skin-testing programs occurring in some of your school districts in the up-coming school year. The guidelines are based on several studies that clearly demonstrate screening persons other than members of high-risk groups results in many false-positive tests that do not represent TB infection. In most instances, school personnel and children are not considered members of these high-risk groups. Please contact your local health directors to address this issue prior to the start of the new school year. If you have questions or need additional information, please call Gwen Smith, school health specialist, at 804-786-8671 or fax 804-371-8796, e-mail gpsmith@pen.k12.va.us. PDS/gps