Elmhurst University Reports Two Positive Cases of Tuberculosis on Campus: What You Need to Know

On Halloween night, Elmhurst University President Troy VanAken sent an email to students and staff informing them that two students tested positive for tuberculosis.

These two students who tested positive are currently isolated and under medical supervision, and according to VanAken, EU is in ‘significant contact’ with them, ensuring they receive food and medical care.

President Troy VanAken and Desiree Chen, Senior Director of Communications and External Relations spoke to The Leader via phone to outline the work they’ve done so far, and what they’ll be working on going forward to prioritize the health and safety of everyone on campus. 

VanAken and Chen say EU has been in contact with infectious disease specialists at the Dupage County Health Department, (DCHD), and will be continuing to work with them in the coming days. 

“We’re talking to experts in the field that are available to us, and even some of our faculty who are experts in this area,” said VanAken. 

According to the CDC and the DCHD, tuberculosis is hard to catch from casual contact, but VanAken emphasizes that EU is operating with an “abundance of caution.” 

In terms of the next steps, VanAken says EU has already conducted contact tracing with the help of the DCHD and reached out to those who have been in close contact with the infected students. Now, getting these students tested is priority number one. 

“We’re preparing to start getting testing done next week,” said President VanAken. “We’re reaching out first to individuals who would have been in close enough contact that they need to test.” 

The email sent to students on Nov. 1 included a form to sign up for testing, which will be available Monday, Nov. 4, Wednesday, Nov. 6, and Friday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. 

However, VanAken notes, “No one will be required to test.” 

In the meantime, VanAken says it’s important for students to know what tuberculosis is and isn’t. 

Tuberculosis, commonly shortened to ‘TB’, is an airborne disease spread by coughing, and sneezing. Symptoms include a cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks, chest pain, fever, weight loss, and in some cases coughing up blood. 

Inactive TB occurs when a person has the tuberculosis germs in their body, but doesn’t feel sick and isn’t experiencing any symptoms because their immune system is actively fighting off the TB. A person with this latent infection still needs treatment to prevent it from becoming an active, symptomatic case, but they cannot spread the infection to others.

A person who has tuberculosis germs in their body and is experiencing symptoms has Active TB. In this case, the person is contagious and needs to undergo treatment to rid their body of the infection, and needs to be isolated to prevent the further spread of the germs. 

Not everyone who becomes infected with TB gets sick, but someone infected with inactive TB can keep the germs in their bodies for years before it develops into Active TB.

While testing begins on campus and the two infected students recover in isolation, VanAken urges students to show consideration towards their peers.

“We ask that you respect the privacy of these people,” said Vanaken, “Even if you are able to figure it out, you should keep that private and off social media.” 

Above all, VanAken wants everyone to know that EU has this under control: “The institution is taking this seriously. We’re doing everything we know to do, and we’re certainly taking care of these individuals.”