State health officials say a person connected to Pleasant Knoll Middle School in Fort Mill was recently exposed to tuberculosis, and contact tracing is now underway to figure out who might need testing. The announcement has parents and staff on edge while investigators work through standard public health steps. Officials have not said whether the person is a student or an employee.
What officials have said
State public health authorities confirmed the exposure at Pleasant Knoll and said they are working with school staff to decide who should be tested, as reported by WBTV. Investigators are identifying close contacts and assessing how far any exposure may have spread, the outlet reports. Families who are considered close contacts can expect to be contacted directly by health officials.
How the school and DPH are responding
The South Carolina Department of Public Health says it works closely with school leaders to identify exposed students and staff, arrange testing, and provide follow-up care, according to South Carolina DPH. The agency explains that investigators look at how long people were around the ill person and where that contact happened. Its school FAQ also lays out testing and treatment options for people who test positive for a latent infection.
How TB spreads and what to watch for
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium that spreads through the air from person to person when someone with infectious TB coughs, speaks, or sneezes, and the germs can linger in poorly ventilated spaces for hours, according to the CDC. The agency notes an important difference between latent infection, which is inactive, and active disease. People with active TB can have symptoms such as a cough that lasts three weeks or longer, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. With early detection and proper antibiotics, most active TB cases can be treated and cured.
Testing, treatment and next steps
If you are identified as a close contact, public health officials may offer a tuberculin skin test or a blood test (IGRA) and, if needed, a chest X-ray. Those who test positive for latent infection can receive medication to help prevent it from turning into active disease, according to South Carolina DPH. Treatment for latent TB is now shorter in many situations, while active TB still requires a multi-drug antibiotic regimen until the person is no longer contagious. Parents are urged to follow instructions from health staff on testing timelines and any recommended treatment.
Why officials act quickly
Public health teams move fast on potential school exposures because early contact tracing and treatment cut down the risk of further spread, a point emphasized in a recent CDC MMWR analysis of large TB outbreaks (MMWR). That report described multiple large outbreaks across U.S. jurisdictions from 2017 through 2023 and highlighted contact tracing as a key way to catch cases sooner. Local health departments say swift investigations in settings like schools are standard practice to protect students and staff.
Parents with concerns should watch for direct notifications from the district and the health department and contact their pediatrician or local clinic if a student develops symptoms. The school posts updates and contact information on its website; visit Pleasant Knoll Middle School for local notices and the latest school communications.
