School district officials say a person at Plant High School has been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

Officials said the person with TB is currently receiving medical care. They have not released any further information about the person.

Health officials said they will answer questions during a parent assembly, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 6-7 p.m. at the school. Parents who cannot attend the assembly but still have questions cancall 813-307-8047.

Officials have identified students and staff who have had a certain amount of exposure to the person with TB. Officials say those students and staff members will all receive a letter in which they are strongly encouraged to get tested for the illness using the TB skin test (Mantoux/PPD), which officials say is the only test that meets the health department's standards.

The Department of Health in Hillsborough County will give free TB skin tests at the school on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 9 a.m. The test results must be examined two days after its given, so the health department will read the tests on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 9 a.m.

Officials said attendance is mandatory on both days to complete the TB screening.

If students or staff are unable to take advantage of the free TB screening, they can have it performed by their own doctor.

Officials also said a different letter was sent out to students and staff at Plant High who have not had enough contact with the person, telling them that TB testing is not recommended for them.

TB is spread through the air from one person to another, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bacteria are released into the air when a person with TB coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected, though transmission requires sustained contact with the sick person.