Appleton H.S. student contracts tuberculosis

APPLETON (AP) -- Health officials say a student at Appleton North High School has contracted tuberculosis, and the city plans to test about 300 students who may have been exposed.

The health department contacted all parents at the school this week after the case was confirmed. Letters were also sent to parents who may need to get their kids tested.

Health officer Kurt Eggebrecht said people outside the school who may have been exposed have also been contacted.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that is spread through the air. But a person would have to be in close contact with an infected person for several hours over several days to contract the disease.

About 70 new cases of TB are reported in Wisconsin each year.