Health officials on Long Island are investigating separate tuberculosis cases linked to two local schools, raising concern among parents while prompting a swift public health response.
The Suffolk County and Nassau County health departments have both confirmed that they are working with school districts after isolated TB cases were identified in students or staff. One of the cases was reported at Bethpage High School in Nassau County, while another unrelated case involves a different school in the region, according to officials.
Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a bacterial infection that typically affects the lungs and can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, speaks or sneezes. While TB is far less common in the United States than it was decades ago, health experts say cases do still occur and are closely monitored. Long Island, with its dense school communities and close-knit classroom settings, is no exception.
The Nassau County Department of Health has begun outreach to families connected to Bethpage High School, explaining that the risk to the general student body is considered low. Only people who spent extended periods of time in close contact with the infected individual are considered at risk. Those identified through contact tracing will be notified directly and may be offered TB testing.
In Suffolk County, health officials are following similar protocols at the second school, which has not been publicly identified in order to protect medical privacy. Administrators have been briefed on the situation, and school nurses are working with county health staff to coordinate information and testing where needed.
Contact tracing is now underway in both counties. Investigators are mapping out where the infected individuals spent time, which classrooms or areas they used and who may have been in prolonged contact with them. This process can take several days, as health workers review class schedules, bus routes, extracurricular activities and any after-school programs.
For families in communities such as Bethpage, Hicksville, Farmingdale, Babylon and nearby towns where students often mix through sports and regional programs, officials say cross-district communication is important. Parents are being urged to watch for official notices from their school districts and local health departments rather than relying on rumors circulating on social media.
Medical experts stress that TB is treatable, especially when identified early. Many people who test positive for TB infection do not have active disease and cannot spread it; they may simply carry the bacteria and be offered medication to prevent it from becoming active later. Active tuberculosis disease, which is more serious and contagious, typically comes with symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss.
Schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties already follow state and CDC guidelines for handling communicable diseases, including TB. That includes working closely with county health departments, notifying potentially exposed individuals and ensuring access to testing. At this time, there have been no widespread closures reported, and classes are continuing as normal while the investigations move forward.
Long Island parents concerned about their children’s risk are encouraged to contact their pediatrician or family doctor, especially if their child has been directly notified as a contact. The health departments also maintain hotlines and websites where residents can get up-to-date information about tuberculosis, testing locations and recommended follow-up.
Health leaders emphasize that a single case in a school does not mean there is an outbreak. However, they say the response must be thorough, especially in large districts such as those in Bethpage, Islip, Huntington and other high-enrollment communities across Nassau and Suffolk. The contact tracing now underway is designed to identify any additional infections early and keep TB from spreading.
As the investigations continue, Long Island school districts are reminding families that students who are ill should stay home and that up-to-date medical records help nurses and doctors respond more quickly in situations like this.
Further updates are expected from the Nassau and Suffolk County health departments as testing results come in and contact tracing efforts are completed.