Multnomah County health officials have confirmed one case of active tuberculosis at a middle school in Southeast Portland.

The case was confirmed at Lane Middle School, according to a release from the county. The person “may have been contagious between Sept. 3, 2024 to May 1, 2025.” The health department is contacting those who may have been exposed through an emailed letter.

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that spreads through the air when infected people cough or sneeze. According to the World Health Organization, it most often affects the lungs but can appear mild for several months.

Symptoms include a cough that lasts longer than three weeks, coughing up blood or sputum, chills, fever and chest pain, among other signs.

Not everyone who gets TB becomes ill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Patients can have either active or inactive TB.

People with inactive TB have no symptoms and do not feel sick. They can’t spread the disease but typically test positive. Active TB patients have a large amount of germs in their body, have symptoms and can spread it to others. Either way, treatment is likely needed to prevent the disease from getting worse or becoming fatal.

TB is one of the leading causes of death across the world, but has seen a resurgence in recent years. In 2024, the U.S. saw its highest level of TB cases in over a decade at 10,347. Oregon had 84 reported TB cases last year, a 12% increase from 2023.

Multnomah County health officials said they’re “optimistic that community spread will not occur from this case, and there is little risk to the general public at this time.” They have not confirmed any other connected cases.

The county health department said they see up to 30 TB cases each year.

The disease is treated through a combination of medications, and can take several months to resolve.

County officials are encouraging families or staff members at the school with questions to call the health department’s tuberculosis clinic. They are also providing free blood tests to the community.

This story will be updated.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/15/multnomah-county-confirms-case-of-tuberculosis-at-se-portland-school/