The health department will directly contact parents of students who were in close proximity to the individual, the district said.

PEARLAND, Texas - Some students and staff at Pearland High School are being told they may have been exposed to tuberculosis.

Pearland Independent School District has confirmed one person at the school has been given a "preliminary diagnosis" of tuberculosis.

It's unclear if the person is a student or a faculty member at the school.

The district said it received a notice from the Texas Department of State Health Services about the individual's diagnosis.

The Brazoria County Health Department is currently investigating the case.

The health department will directly contact parents of students who were in close proximity to the individual, the district said.

Tuberculosis is dangerous and potentially deadly, but it may not be as easy to catch as some people might think.

The germs can only be spread by coughing, speaking or singing, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Then, at the same time, the healthy person would have to breathe in the airborne germs.

People who are closer to the infected individual and the ones who spend more time with them are at greater risk of contracting the disease.

The CDC says you cannot catch T.B. from shaking someone’s hand, sharing food or drinks, touching bed linens or toilet seats, sharing toothbrushes or from kissing.

The following is the entire statement from Pearland ISD Executive Director of Communications, Kim Hocott:

Pearland Independent School District received notification from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) that a person who has previously been at Pearland High School has a preliminary diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB).

Pearland ISD is working closely with and under the guidance of the Brazoria County Health Department, who is currently investigating the case. The health department will directly contact parents whose children have been identified as having close, prolonged exposure to the individual.

For additional information, please contact the Brazoria County Health Department, Karen Clary or Cathy Sbrusch at 979-864-1484 or the DSHS Regional program at 713-767-3000.