France - Nord: concern after cases of tuberculosis in a high school in Roubais

[Pathfinder]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nord_(French_department)

---------------------
Translation Google

News from 12:30 p.m. – North: concern after cases of tuberculosis in a high school

In a high school in Roubaix, a dozen latent infections and two cases of tuberculosis were identified. High school students and teachers are worried.

Pascal Praud - edited by William Vuillez
published on 01/12/2023 at 13:00

Deep concern in a high school in Roubaix, in the North, where cases of tuberculosis, this disease that some believed disappeared, have multiplied in recent months . It affects students as well as their teachers. In front of the Louis Loucheur high school, many students talk about cases of tuberculosis, like this high school student in Terminale CAP, who had to undergo exams. "At first it was our class that had appointments to go to the hospital. After that it started to spread through high school. On the X-ray I was negative, but in my blood they saw that I was positive. I have latent tuberculosis ," he says.

Latent tuberculosis, that is to say not active and not contaminating, but he must take treatment . The teachers are also worried, 4 of them would be positive. They denounce a lack of responsibility on the part of the management, a feeling shared by the students. "They had been informed since April and they left it lying around. They informed no one. When they informed people, there were already 6 contagious people", explains a high school student.

The rectorate ensures that the necessary meetings and screening have been organized. Officially, there would be ten latent infections and two cases of tuberculosis.

https://www.rtl.fr/actu/sante/les-infos-de-12h30-nord-inquietude-apres-des-cas-de-tuberculose-dans-un-lycee-7900224393

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Tuberculosis: 8 questions about this disease whose cases have been increasing for several months

In a high school in Roubaix, cases of tuberculosis have been increasing since last April. Olivier Robino, doctor in the infectious disease department at Tourcoing hospital, in the North, explains everything you need to know about this disease.

Olivier Boy - edited by Sarra Djeghnoune
published on 01/13/2023 at 08:54 - updated on 01/13/2023 at 11:00

Return of tuberculosis. At least two schools in Roubaix, in the North, are affected by this disease that some thought had disappeared. Olivier Robino, infectious disease doctor at the Tourcoing hospital responsible for following this case was the guest of RTL this Friday, January 13.

- How many cases were first detected?

At present, the investigation is almost complete, there are 8 cases of tuberculosis in this school. And a certain number of people who have been in contact, for whom we organize a follow-up to make sure that they do not develop the disease. The number of cases that we have found is quite high, that's why we carry out surveys of this type to precisely screen people to prevent new contamination. The first wave of investigation is carried out and it can reasonably be said that it is very unlikely that new cases will appear in the future from this index case.

- What is tuberculosis and how do you get it?

It is a contagious disease in the air, that is to say, you have to be in contact with a person who is infected and who has lung lesions to produce enough bacteria to be able to transmit them. It's not all tuberculosis patients, it's a certain number of people who have this ability to transmit. It is transmitted by air only and it is necessary to be in regular and prolonged contact with people who have been infected who are contaminating to acquire the disease.

- Is this a disease that can be serious?

It is a disease that can be serious because if it is detected too late, there can be significant damage to the lungs or other organs. Fortunately, thanks in particular to screening, we manage to prevent a certain number of cases and we have antibiotics that are extremely effective. In this disease, we manage to cure more than 98% of cases with our molecules.

- Does the disease affect disadvantaged social backgrounds more?

Absolutely, it is a disease that is closely linked to precariousness and which is ultimately quite stigmatizing. This is what is complicated and requires a certain discretion when carrying out surveys. It is obvious that when we live together in a small area, we have a greater risk of acquiring the disease, we are also probably less nourished, less able to fight against infectious diseases and therefore the risk is higher of developing a disease when you come from a precarious environment, that's for sure.

...

https://www.rtl.fr/actu/sante/tuberculose-8-questions-sur-cette-maladie-dont-les-cas-se-multiplient-depuis-plusieurs-mois-7900224763