By KERI CHAMPION

Staff Reporter

RESERVE- The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospital (DHH) has confirmed at least one active case in the tuberculosis (TB) investigation at East St. John High School. Approximately 300 students were tested.

Joey Herbert, spokesperson for the Region 3 TB division said, &#8220The original case that prompted the investigation was confirmed and will be undergoing treatment.”

&#8220The investigation has also confirmed that less than one percent of the population tested positive for the disease,” he said.

&#8220The one percent positive ratio is not enough to prompt an expanded investigation, but we will continue the contact investigation to determine whether any of the individuals tested still fall into the 12-week incubation period after exposure. An expanded investigation would require a 20% positive ratio,” he said.

St. John Parish Superintendent Michael Coburn verified that the testing was complete but said the law prohibits him from commenting further on the situation.

In order to determine whether more active cases can be expected, the DHH will have to investigate the amount of contact made with infected persons in the school and calculate the incubation period.

&#8220TB is spread through the air when persons infected cough up the bug, however most cases are only contagious when in contact in close quarters over an extended period of time,” Hebert said.

Determining that the incubation period has ended is critical to assuring that there will be no further risk to students and staff.

&#8220We will continue to be in contact with the school to monitor the likelihood that more cases will develop,” Hebert said.