Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Orlando Sentinel (12.07.05) - Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Claudia Zequeira
"This was a question of testing everyone or not testing anyone at all, of not singling out certain students," said Dana Schafer, a district spokesperson.
Another reason is that the TB skin test can give up to a 20 percent rate of false positives, according to some studies. "The yield of positive skin tests is such that you're really not accomplishing anything by doing these tests," said Halsey Rhodes, director of field services for the state Bureau of TB and Refugee Health. "Now, we only test those who are very high risk."
Most Florida counties, including Miami-Dade, Seminole, Polk, Orange, Brevard, Lake and Volusia, no longer routinely screen for TB in schools.
In 2004, Osceola County had six TB cases. The number of state TB cases rose 3 percent in 2004, to 1,076, half of which were in foreign-born persons, officials said. In 2004, the number of TB infections in children age 14 and younger rose to 79 from 49 in 2003.
People considered at high TB risk include those with weakened immune systems, prisoners, those exposed to TB, and recent immigrants, says the state Department of Health. The state recommends TB tests for immigrants in the country less than five years.
"Most of the children we've seen get sick were at risk for TB and should have been tested, or if they were tested, unfortunately either they or their parents chose not to take the treatment or complete the treatments," said Dr. David Ashkin, the state's TB controller.
Local health clinics still test immigrant children at a doctor's request. And school districts, including Osceola, still require physical examinations that include a TB risk assessment.
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