IRVING, Texas — As the new year begins, Irving ISD is offering tuberculosis (TB) testing at MacArthur High School, related to a possible tuberculosis exposure that was reported last school year.
In a statement, the district confirmed it is working with county and state officials to address a “health concern” related to a possible tuberculosis exposure that was reported last year. A small group of people was exposed to tuberculosis in February of last year, according to a letter sent to parents from Dallas County Health and Human Services.
In a recent statement, Dallas County Health confirmed it is investigating a possible tuberculosis exposure during the 2025-2026 school year. TB testing is recommended for students who attended MacArthur last school year and are returning as 10th-, 11th-, or 12th-graders, according to the updated statement. Testing is not recommended for 9th graders or students attending the school for the first time.
The testing is not related to a new case at MacArthur High School, the district said. The risk to the public is low, officials said.
Irving ISD is offering the testing “out of an abundance of caution,” according to the statement. The testing is not required by Dallas County Health or the Texas Department of State Health Services, with whom the district is working.
“This recommendation does not mean students were exposed to or have TB.,” Dallas County Health said. “Testing is recommended because inactive, or latent, TB often causes no symptoms.”
MacArthur High School families will receive a letter outlining the testing process and a consent form, the district said.
Those with questions about testing are asked to contact Dallas County Health and Human Services directly at 214-819-1964 for English or 214-689-5753 for Spanish.
The risk of TB infection is extremely low, according to information provided by Dallas County Health. When TB germs enter the body, they can go to sleep or become active. When TB germs are asleep, the person is not sick and cannot pass the germs to others. When the infection becomes active, the person will usually experience fatigue, weight loss, chills, fever, night sweats, and loss of appetite, shortness of breath, prolonged coughing for longer than two weeks, and coughing up blood, officials said.
The disease is treatable and curable.
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