Portland, Ore. – Health officials have confirmed a case of tuberculosis (TB) at Lane Middle School, raising concerns among students, parents, and staff.
Multnomah County Health Department confirmed that an individual at the school has tested positive for TB. The person is receiving medical treatment, and authorities are taking immediate steps to prevent further spread of the disease.
Officials are working quickly to identify anyone who may have been in close contact with the infected individual and have advised those at potential risk to get tested. The district is also coordinating with health experts to ensure the school environment remains safe for all.
While tuberculosis is a serious infection, it is treatable with antibiotics, and early detection is key to preventing its spread. Health officials are urging anyone with symptoms, such as persistent coughing or chest pain, to seek medical attention promptly.
The situation is being closely monitored, and further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
Officials have not yet confirmed if the infected individual was a student or a staff member at the school. Although the TB case was only recently diagnosed, health officials say the individual was contagious for more than six months — from Sept. 3, 2024, to May 1, 2025.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs. It spreads through close, face-to-face contact with the infected person. It can be treated with medication.
“Fortunately, most people who have had casual contact with a person diagnosed with tuberculosis will not become infected,” said Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Richard Bruno. “And most people who become infected will never become ill with tuberculosis, especially with current medication regimens. While tuberculosis can be spread in school settings, we expect that anyone infected would not yet be ill and could be effectively treated with medication.”
The Multnomah County Health Department has created a frequently asked questions page about TB to help better inform the public about the infection.
The county says they have reached out to those possibly exposed through email.
“The Multnomah County Health Department is working closely with Portland Public Schools, the Multnomah Education and Service District, and leadership at Lane Middle School to take all the necessary public health actions to keep students and staff in the wider community as healthy as possible,” Bruno said.
Officials stressed that it can be really challenging to diagnose.
“This particular individual had symptoms that were kind of mild for a while and got worse. It was eventually diagnosed,” Bruno said during a virtual news conference.
The county’s health department said they investigate up to 30 cases of tuberculosis a year.
Portland, Ore. – Health officials are working to calm concerns after confirming a case of tuberculosis (TB) at Lane Middle School, reassuring the public that the risk of widespread infection remains low.
While one individual at the school has tested positive for TB, Multnomah County Health Department officials emphasized that casual contact with the infected person is unlikely to lead to transmission. They do not expect community spread from this case, and the general public is not at significant risk.
The affected individual is receiving treatment, and the health department is taking proactive measures to identify anyone who may have had close or prolonged exposure to the person. Those at risk are being urged to get tested, but most students, staff, and families need not be concerned about contracting TB.
Tuberculosis is treatable with antibiotics, and health officials are confident that with early intervention, further complications can be prevented. The situation is being carefully monitored, and updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.