Person at William Penn School District, Penn Wood Middle School tests positive for tuberculosis

Released: January 23, 2023

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) was notified of an individual diagnosed with tuberculous who attends the Penn Wood Middle School in the William Penn School District.

Health officials are working with school representatives to identify students and staff who might have been exposed to the illness.

It is important for parents who are concerned they or their children may have been in close contact know that not all exposures become sick. Although TB is spread in a similar way to a cold or flu, it is not as contagious. You would have to spend prolonged periods (around at least 15 hours of contact per week) in close contact with an infected person to catch the infection yourself.

The important first step is to identify close contacts of the person who was infected. Those identified as close contacts are being notified by the Health Department for testing arrangements.

The Health Department stresses that students and staff can continue active learning in the school setting.

People with questions or concerns that they may need tested should call the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line, available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by phone at (484) 276 – 2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.