Tuberculosis on Long Island: What to know after Bethpage, Patchogue-Medford infections

Two recent cases of tuberculosis in Long Island schools are putting the spotlight back on the disease, which can be deadly if left untreated. 

On Thursday, Bethpage schools Superintendent Dave Schneider told parents in a letter that a person from the high school was actively being treated for the illness. 

He said the risk of transmission was very low. The health department is conducting contact tracing and will alert parents if an individual who is deemed a close contact requires further evaluation, he wrote.

A case also emerged two weeks ago at Patchogue-Medford High School. The person was being treated and there was no ongoing risk of transmission, according to a Jan. 23 letter sent to parents from interim Superintendent Lori Cannetti.

District officials did not say whether the infected individuals were students, staff members or teachers.

Here’s what to know about tuberculosis:

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease mainly caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. TB can be either latent (inactive) or active.

People with latent tuberculosis are not currently sick and cannot spread the illness. Those with active tuberculosis have symptoms and are contagious. Both types require treatment. The latent form of the disease can progress to active, which is harder to treat.

The disease spreads through the air when people with active tuberculosis cough, sneeze, sing or talk, releasing tiny particles containing germs,  according to the CDC.  The disease usually impacts the lungs but can also affect the lymph nodes, bones, joints, brain and spine, according to health agencies. It can be fatal if left untreated.

Dr. Christy Beneri, assistant medical director of infection prevention and control at Stony Brook Children's Hospital, said that tuberculosis does not spread as quickly as some other illnesses but is still contagious. "You'd have to have prolonged exposure to someone … like a household contact, a schoolmate that's in the classroom regularly — not just be in the same school, but more heavy, prolonged hours," she said.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of active tuberculosis include a cough that lasts three weeks or longer, chest pain, coughing up blood or phlegm, weakness and fatigue, fever, weight loss and night sweats.

How common is tuberculosis in the United States?

In 2024, the United States reported 10,388 tuberculosis cases, up from 9,633 in 2023, according to the CDC. Cases have been climbing since 2021.

In New York State cases have also been increasing. There were 1,089 cases in 2024, with 839 occurring in New York City. In 2023, there were 894 cases statewide.

In 2024, there were 48 cases in Nassau County and 52 in Suffolk County, according to state figures.

According to the CDC, the United States still has one of the lowest incidence rates in the world. 

Who is at risk?

People at increased risk include those whose immune systems are compromised, or who have health conditions like diabetes or HIV. Children under 2 years old are also at increased risk.

“Particularly children under 2 are at high risk from going from exposure to infection to disease, so we're very aggressive with evaluating young children,” Beneri said.

People who were born in countries where tuberculosis is common or who frequently travel to those regions are at higher risk, according to the CDC. The disease is common in Asia, Africa and Latin America. 

Other people at risk include those who live in homeless shelters and prisons, as well as those who recently spent time with someone who has active tuberculosis.

How is tuberculosis diagnosed?

There are two tests used to detect the disease. A blood test checks to see how a person’s immune system reacts to the germs that cause the disease, according to the CDC.

Another test monitors how a person reacts after a small solution is placed under the skin, usually on the forearm. It takes about 48 to 72 hours to see if a reaction occurs on the skin. According to the state Health Department, the blood test is the preferred mode. 

How is it treated?

For active tuberculosis, treatment could involve hospitalization, and then several antimicrobial bacterial medicines for at least six months, Beneri said. It can also involve a period of isolation, according to the New York State Department of Health.

Latent tuberculosis requires a shorter course of medications and does not come with any restrictions. 

How can it be prevented?

Early detection and prevention of active tuberculosis cases help prevent the spread of the disease.

“The main thing is just being aware of what your personal risk factors are. If you're someone that travels, either for leisure or for your work, make sure that you get travel advice before your trip and upon return as needed,” Beneri said.

For parents, she said it’s important to continue well-visit doctor appointments, noting that health departments are actively monitoring the situation. 

“If you have not received a specific letter from the school saying that you need an evaluation, I would not worry,” she said.

Should my child be vaccinated for tuberculosis?

The CDC said a vaccination for tuberculosis is not generally advised in the United States for a number of reasons, including low overall risk of infection, the varying effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing pulmonary tuberculosis and interference with the skin test for the disease.