TB Info and Resources
Campus Communications
Campus Message from President VanAken 11/14/24
To our campus community,
As a follow-up to last week’s email, I’d like to update you regarding where things stand with TB testing and response, and also to remind you about the campus resources that are always available to support you and your overall health and well-being.
Throughout the past week, the DuPage County Health Department administered TB tests to about 180 people. Health Department officials let us know that as of today, there is still only one active TB case associated with campus. And both suspect cases, which had received additional evaluations by healthcare professionals, were cleared as of late yesterday (Nov. 13).
It’s welcome news, but we will continue to follow the health department’s guidance in our response to the situation. Anyone in need of TB testing or a medical evaluation can check with the Wellness Center, your doctor or the DuPage County Health Department. You’ll find a list of resources at the end of this email.
That list includes not only TB-related resources, but also some of the places and people on campus who are here to help you navigate other sources of stress or anxiety, whether personal, political or other.
For many of us, it’s been a tumultuous couple of weeks. I want to reiterate our firm commitment to supporting our students, and to ensuring that all of us feel welcome on this campus, and that we belong here. Achieving this requires that we live and treat each other as members of one community—with consideration, respect and compassion.
Best,
Troy
Campus Message from President VanAken 11/4/24
In responding appropriately to the TB cases associated with campus, I hope you can understand that this is a fluid situation, and that we necessarily must follow the lead of the DuPage County Health Department. We are working to the best of our ability, based on the information we have at the time, to keep the campus community informed.
It’s important that we educate ourselves about what TB is and isn’t, and that we continue to rely on authorities who have expertise to convey that kind of information.
On Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 5:00 p.m., faculty from our Department of Nursing and Public Health will lead an information session that will address topics including:
- The important distinctions regarding TB status—in other words, what it means to have a positive TB test or a TB infection versus active TB disease
- The limited circumstances under which TB can be spread
- Answering any questions you might have
The information session will be held on Zoom, and we will send you the link soon.
As I noted in my email last week, we are continuing to work with the health department and, with their assistance, we have contacted those who may have been in close contact with affected individuals and are providing them with free testing. Meanwhile, the campus is operating as usual and classes are continuing to meet.
We also have created a web page where we have posted our communications, and which includes links to helpful resources.
Best,
Troy
Campus Message from President VanAken 11/1/24
To our campus community,
As you know, we have been working closely with the DuPage County Health Department, which has been guiding our response to the tuberculosis cases associated with our campus.
With their assistance, we have already reached out to those who may have been in close contact with the affected individuals.
The health department has emphasized that casual contact is generally not sufficient for transmission of TB bacteria—it is transmitted through prolonged, close contact with someone who has infectious tuberculosis.
Free testing by the health department is being made available to those who were identified as potentially close contacts. If you have not received a letter but feel compelled to be tested, please visit this page.
If you would like to learn more about TB and its symptoms, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
Best,
Troy
Campus Message from President VanAken 10/31/24
To the campus community,
Today the University received confirmation that two students have tested positive for tuberculosis, or TB. These students have been isolated and are currently under medical supervision. HIPAA and FERPA regulations prevent us from disclosing further information about the students.
Your health and safety are of the utmost importance. We have been in contact with infectious disease specialists at the DuPage County Health Department, who have initiated a contact investigation. We are making arrangements with the health department for free testing to be available on campus and are working to schedule information sessions to answer any questions you may have. We will provide more details as soon as they become available.
Meanwhile, it’s important that we educate ourselves, and learn what TB is and isn’t. You can learn more about TB on the CDC website and in the attachment. We want you to understand that while this is a potentially serious disease, it also is preventable and treatable.
In my almost nine years at Elmhurst, it’s been my privilege to see how this community has responded to different challenges we’ve faced. Because this situation is unfamiliar to most of us, it’s especially important that we be thoughtful and show care, grace and consideration during this time.
Best,
Troy
DuPage County Health Department Communications
DuPage County Health Department – Media Statement Issued 11/2/24
The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is aware of 1 case and 2 suspect cases of tuberculosis (TB) that are still being evaluated by healthcare professionals for diagnosis. associated with Elmhurst University. DCHD is coordinating with healthcare providers to ensure these cases receive appropriate treatment and is working closely with the university to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the case while they were infectious. DCHD is working with the university to offer TB testing for others as needed.
TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The TB germs are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks or sings. Not everyone infected with TB germs becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: inactive TB infection, called latent TB and active TB disease. Both inactive (latent) TB infection and active TB disease can be treated.
If you have been around someone who has active TB, contact your healthcare provider about getting tested, even if you do not feel sick.
DCHD routinely investigates reportable communicable diseases, including TB. In these situations, DCHD’s goal is to assist the individual(s) in receiving the best care they need and to ensure individuals who may have been exposed receive the appropriate follow-up care to limit the transmission of diseases. For privacy considerations, we will not be offering additional information about cases unless it is relevant to the public health response.
For more information about TB, please visit https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/tb.html or https://www.cdc.gov/tb/index.html.
DuPage County Health Department – Media Statement Issued 11/1/24
The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is aware of two confirmed cases of Tuberculosis associated with Elmhurst University. DCHD is coordinating with healthcare providers to ensure these cases receive appropriate treatment and is working closely with the university to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the case while they were infectious. Close contacts of the individuals are being notified by letter or phone call. DCHD will be working with the university to offer TB testing for these close contacts.
TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The TB germs are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks or sings. Not everyone infected with TB germs becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: inactive TB infection and active TB disease. Both inactive TB infection and active TB disease can be treated.
It is important to know that a person who is exposed to TB germs is not able to spread the germs to other people right away. Only persons with active TB disease can spread TB germs to others.
If you have been around someone who has active TB, contact your healthcare provider about getting tested, even if you do not feel sick.
DCHD routinely investigates reportable communicable diseases, including TB. In these situations, DCHD’s goal is to assist the individual(s) in receiving the best care they need and to ensure individuals who may have been exposed receive the appropriate follow-up care to limit the transmission of diseases. For privacy considerations, we will not be offering additional information unless it is relevant to the public health response.
For more information about TB, please visit https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/tb.html or https://www.cdc.gov/tb/index.html.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/CDC
DuPage County Health Department (DCHD)
TB Testing Options and Resources
- Individual healthcare provide
- DuPage County Health Department, Tuberculosis (TB) Program, (630) 682-7400