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Source: http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/ne...ool.5665439.jp
Tuberculosis outbreak at Northamptonshire school
Published Date: 21 September 2009
The Health Protection Agency has revealed that it has been told of three cases of Tuberculosis at a school in Northamptonshire.
All three people affected at Kingswood Secondary School in Corby are responding well to treatment.
The East Midlands South Health Protection Unit has been working with NHS Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire Provider Services and Kettering General Hospital following the outbreak.
An investigation is now underway to identify those who had prolonged contact with the infectious individuals and more than 200 people have been screened as a precaution.
Screening has taken place at the school and a letter has been sent to all staff, parents and students at the school advising them of the situation, the course of action that is being taken and advice about the signs and symptoms of TB, as well as where to go for further information and advice.
Cathy Mallaghan, unit director for the Health Protection Agency's East Midland's south unit, said: "Although TB is an infectious disease prolonged contact with an infected individual is usually required for others to be infected.
"As a precaution, pupils and staff who had significant contact with the infectious persons have been offered screening for the disease.
"TB is a very slow developing disease. We need to wait until at least six weeks after the last exposure so that the screening tests can be as accurate as possible.
"If we were to find any additional cases, people can be reassured that TB is fully treatable with a course of specific antibiotics. People are thought to be non infectious after two weeks of treatment.
Students and parents of pupils at the school have been advised to contact their GP if they or their children have symptoms that give them cause for concern. Everyone will be kept informed of the results of the screening process.
Further general information on TB can be obtained by calling NHSDirect on 0845 4647 or go to www.hpa.org.uk or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.
Tuberculosis outbreak at Northamptonshire school
Published Date: 21 September 2009
The Health Protection Agency has revealed that it has been told of three cases of Tuberculosis at a school in Northamptonshire.
All three people affected at Kingswood Secondary School in Corby are responding well to treatment.
The East Midlands South Health Protection Unit has been working with NHS Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire Provider Services and Kettering General Hospital following the outbreak.
An investigation is now underway to identify those who had prolonged contact with the infectious individuals and more than 200 people have been screened as a precaution.
Screening has taken place at the school and a letter has been sent to all staff, parents and students at the school advising them of the situation, the course of action that is being taken and advice about the signs and symptoms of TB, as well as where to go for further information and advice.
Cathy Mallaghan, unit director for the Health Protection Agency's East Midland's south unit, said: "Although TB is an infectious disease prolonged contact with an infected individual is usually required for others to be infected.
"As a precaution, pupils and staff who had significant contact with the infectious persons have been offered screening for the disease.
"TB is a very slow developing disease. We need to wait until at least six weeks after the last exposure so that the screening tests can be as accurate as possible.
"If we were to find any additional cases, people can be reassured that TB is fully treatable with a course of specific antibiotics. People are thought to be non infectious after two weeks of treatment.
Students and parents of pupils at the school have been advised to contact their GP if they or their children have symptoms that give them cause for concern. Everyone will be kept informed of the results of the screening process.
Further general information on TB can be obtained by calling NHSDirect on 0845 4647 or go to www.hpa.org.uk or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.