Tulsa Public Schools reports Tuberculosis case at McLain High School; Health department offers free testing

Tulsa Public Schools alerted parents and staff on Tuesday to an active case of tuberculosis (TB) connected to McLain High School.

The Tulsa Health Department notified the district of a public health investigation and the opportunity for free testing.

Potential Exposure Window Identified

Officials say individuals who were present on the McLain campus between March 1 and May 23, 2025, may have been exposed.

Tulsa Public Schools said it is working closely with the health department to ensure that anyone potentially affected receives accurate information about screening and next steps.

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Free Testing Offered by Tulsa Health Department

The Tulsa Health Department will provide free TB testing at the North Regional Health & Wellness Center, located at 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., on the following dates:

1. Wednesday, July 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2. Participants must return Friday, July 25, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to have test results read.
3. Friday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4. Participants must return Monday, July 28, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for results.
5. Consent Forms Found Here

Community members with questions are asked to contact the Tulsa Health Department directly at 918-582-9355.

Tuberculosis Explained

Tuberculosis, also known as "TB," is a disease caused by germs that spread through the air, usually when someone with active TB coughs or sneezes.

It mostly affects the lungs, but it can also impact the brain, kidneys, or spine.

Tuberculosis is one of the oldest known human diseases, with some evidence suggesting it has been impacting human populations as far back as 9,000 years ago. Historically, it was also referred to as “consumption” due to the way it caused extreme weight loss and fatigue. According to the CDC, TB was the leading cause of death in Europe and North America during the 1800s.

A vaccine was developed in 1921 by French scientists Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin. The vaccine, known as the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), is still the only licensed TB vaccine, though today it is mostly used in countries with higher TB occurrences such as India or Southeast Asia.

In the United States and other low-incidence countries, TB is controlled through screening, early treatment, and contact tracing rather than widespread vaccination, per the CDC and World Health Organization.

Tuberculosis Is Treatable

Whether you have latent or active TB, some medicines can help. It’s important to take the full course exactly as your doctor or nurse recommends.

Tuberculosis Testing

There are two types of TB tests: a skin test and a blood test. Both can show if you’ve been infected.