DPH encourages all employees, students at Hartsville High to be tested for TB
DPH offers tuberculosis testing to Hartsville High School community after ongoing transmission has been identified.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 17, 2026
COLUMBIA, S.C.—The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is strongly encouraging all employees and students at Hartsville High School to be tested for tuberculosis. The recommendation follows the identification of one additional TB case that DPH believes is connected to an exposure at the school in spring 2025. Because the TB germ can remain inactive in the body for months or years before causing illness, this additional case is appearing now even though the exposure occurred during the 2024-2025 school term.
The newly identified additional case had connection with the school during the 2024-2025 school term, likely became infected during that time, and the TB germ is now causing TB disease. The case raises concerns that others may have been unknowingly infected during the 2024-2025 school term.
Due to ongoing transmission, DPH is working closely with Hartsville High and district officials to once again make testing available to everyone at the school. DPH also had offered testing to all students, faculty, and staff during the 2024-2025 school term.
“We urge the school community to get tested,” said Dr. Martha Buchanan, director of the Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control. “Testing is the only way to know if the TB germ entered the body and infected a person. If the test result is positive, additional testing is needed to determine if a person has active TB disease, which can be very contagious and puts others at risk.”
During the 2024-2025 term, DPH worked closely with school officials to determine which students and staff may have been exposed. Identified contacts were offered testing and follow-up according to public health guidelines. Due to investigation findings, DPH expanded testing to all students, faculty, and staff. However, not everyone participated in the voluntary testing. It is possible that some people received testing elsewhere using a TB skin test, which is not reportable to DPH. Still, there could be many that have not been tested and, therefore, do not know if the TB germ might be in their bodies.
It is important to be tested because active TB disease can be highly contagious and even deadly.
Testing details have been shared with all faculty and staff at Hartsville High. DPH, the high school, and the district have closely coordinated testing logistics and communications for those affected. Using DPH testing ensures results are returned quickly, allowing any necessary follow-up to begin promptly. All testing for those notified will be provided at no cost.
About TB
TB is a bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs and spreads from person to person through the air. When people with TB in their lungs cough, they release bacteria that others can inhale. Those who become infected develop latent, or inactive, TB. Without treatment, about 10% of people with latent TB will progress to active TB disease at some point in their lives. The remaining 90% carry the bacteria without ever developing the illness. The greatest risk of developing TB disease is in the first two years following initial infection. People with weakened immune systems have an increased lifetime risk of developing TB disease.
TB symptoms can include cough (sometimes producing blood or sputum), chest pain, fever, chills, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms, please see your doctor or call your local public health department and ask to speak to a TB nurse.
To learn more about TB, explore the Tuberculosis Resources for the Public and the TB Frequently Asked Questions. For information on how DPH responds to a TB case associated with a school, visit the TB in Schools FAQ.
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