Tuberculosis Prevention

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a highly infectious, potentially life-threatening disease. Because of the increase in TB worldwide, in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations regarding strategies for TB control, and based upon KAR 28-1-30, KAR 281-31, KSA 65-129e and KSA 65-129f, Manhattan Area Technical College (MATC) has implemented the following prevention and testing requirements and recommendations for the public health and safety of its community.

TB Screening Requirements

All new students must complete the tuberculosis (TB) questionnaire on their admission application. Students showing symptoms of active TB, those who have been in contact with someone diagnosed with TB, or who have lived in or traveled for over three months in a high-risk country will have an enrollment hold. These students will be contacted with steps to lift the hold before classes begin.

The questions below are asked at the time you submit your admissions application to Manhattan Tech.

  1. Have you ever had a tuberculosis (TB) test that was positive?
     
  2. Have you ever received the BCG vaccine, which is given outside the United States, to prevent tuberculosis (TB)?
    (This vaccine is usually given in countries with high incidence of TB.)
     
  3. Have you been in contact with anyone who was sick with tuberculosis (TB) in the last 3 months?
     
  4. Were you born in a country not on the list below? If so, list the country of birth.
    (If you were born in the United States, the answer is NO.) 
     
  5. Have you ever spent over 3 months in a country not on the list below?
    Please list the country

LIST OF EXEMPT COUNTRIES WITH LOW INCIDENCE OF TB

(Defined by the Kansas Department of Health & Environment)

AlbaniaCanadaFranceMaltaSweden
American SamoaChileGermanyNauruSwitzerland
AndorraCosta RicaGreeceNetherlandsTurks and Caicos Islands
Antigua and BarbudaCubaGrenadaNew ZealandUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and North Ireland
AustraliaCyprusHungaryNorwayUnited Virgin Islands
AustriaCzech RepublicIcelandSaint Kitts and NevisUnited States of America
BahamasDenmarkIrelandSt. LucidaWallis & Futuna Islands
BarbadosDominicaItalySamoa 
BelgiumFujiJamaicaSlovakia 
British Virgin IslandsFinlandLuxembourgSpain 

If "YES" to Any Screening Questions

If you answer "Yes" to any of the TB screening questions, you must provide documentation of testing and evaluation by a healthcare provider before enrolling in classes at Manhattan Tech.

  1. You will be required to undergo a Tuberculosis skin OR blood test*. (Documentation of a negative TB test obtained in the United States in the past year will be accepted by Manhattan Tech. Proper documentation will include a copy of the (Mantoux/PPD) skin test with results documented in millimeters, signed and dated by the health care provider.) 
    • Per the CDC, tell your healthcare provider if you have received the TB vaccine, especially if you are getting tested for TB infection. The vaccine can cause a false positive TB skin test reaction. TB blood tests are the preferred tests for people who have received the BCG TB vaccine. Unlike the TB skin test, TB blood tests are unaffected by BCG TB vaccination.
  2. If you have a past positive TB test with a history of latent infection, you will need to present documentation (written Interpretation of your last chest x-ray obtained in the United States AND copies of all medical and treatment outcomes to Manhattan Tech. 
  3. If you have a history of active TB disease, you must submit previous treatment and outcome medical records, signed and documented by your health care provider, to Manhattan Tech. This will include the written interpretation of a chest x-ray received in the United States.

TB Additional Information

  • Active-duty military members are often flagged by the TB questionnaire. In these cases, you may lift the hold by providing documentation of your active-duty status (such as an LES), proof of a TB vaccination or negative TB test, or by signing an affidavit confirming your active-duty status.
  • If, after your initial screening, you develop symptoms of TB, have an exposure to TB, develop a positive TB test, or travel to a high-risk country for more than three months, notify your healthcare provider for further testing.
  • Only TB testing completed in the United States will be accepted.

Chat