Walton High School TB Testing Shows No Positives

A potential tuberculosis exposure at Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia led to approximately 200 students and faculty being tested, with no initial positive results reported. Public health officials from Cobb & Douglas Public Health conducted tuberculin skin tests, and individuals who tested negative will require a second test in eight to ten weeks to confirm their status. Those who missed the initial testing must seek testing from private physicians and provide proof to the school. Tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs, can be fatal if untreated and spreads through airborne bacteria. Globally, TB cases have risen significantly, with 8.2 million new cases reported in 2023, highlighting a worrying trend. Georgia reported 262 TB cases in 2022, an 18% increase from the previous year, reflecting the global rise in TB infections.