Normandy, MISSOURI

NEWS ITEM

HIV October 23, 2008 - As many as 50 students at Normandy High School, a suburban St. Louis high school, are being offerred HIV tests after one indvidual tested positive for HIV. The Health Department has not released the name of the indvidual or how the 50 students could have been exposed to the virus

The possibilities, a Health Department spokesman said, include sexual activity, intravenous drug use, piercings and tattoos.

Students are being tested at the high school gymnasium. They may decline the tests.

So far, the district has met twice with parents, and begun to ask ministers in the community to stress the importance of responsible behavior.

Students in grades four through 12 already take classes that discuss the consequences of risky behaviors - including HIV, Lawrence said.

See Up to 50 students may be infected at Normandy H.S. n testing underway
QUOTE The burning question n whether that first HIV-positive person was still at the school - is the one health officials are forbidden to answer by state and federal law. UNQUOTE

The St. Louis American article above also notes that the tests are voluntary. There is no evidence of malicious exposure.