Important message from Ripon College Health Services
The Fond du Lac County Division of Public Health notified Ripon College yesterday that a student was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) disease. College officials and Fond du Lac County staff are working closely to manage the care of the student to minimize risk of additional cases.
The student diagnosed with the tuberculosis disease will remain in isolation under treatment until determined to be no longer contagious by the Fond du Lac County Division of Public Health. The student continues to be treated in Fond du Lac County and is expected to make a full recovery.
We have been informed by health experts that there is no risk for the community at large. Tuberculosis is not easy to transmit to others; it requires close and continued contact with the person with disease. Simply being in the same room as the person with TB disease does not mean you will be infected.
The initial test results of the person with TB disease indicate that the risk of transmission is low. Ripon College officials are working with Fond du Lac County to identify and evaluate individuals who may have had significant close contact with the student per the Centers for Disease Control protocol. These individuals will be notified by Health Services and asked to be tested for possible tuberculosis exposure with a simple blood test. College officials are working with Fond du Lac County and Agnesian Consultants Laboratory to make it possible for these tests to occur on the Ripon campus.
The health and safety of Ripon students, faculty and staff is a top concern at Ripon College. A special information session featuring representatives from the Fond du Lac County Division of Public Health will be held on campus Thursday at 8 p.m. in Great Hall.
Students and employees with concerns should call Health Services at extension 8141. Health Services is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and is located on the third floor of Bartlett Hall. Calls may also be directed to Fond du Lac County Division of Public Health. If you are a member of the Ripon community and have concerns please contact your health care provider.
Ripon College requires testing of new students who are at high risk for TB infection prior to matriculation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides extensive information about tuberculosis at https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/.
Download the Wisconsin Division of Public Health Tuberculosis Fact Sheet at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p4/p42099.pdf.
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