TB outbreak at Birmingham school
Around 1,000 pupils and staff members at a Birmingham school have been offered tuberculosis tests after a student tested positive for the most serious form of the disease.
The girl was confirmed to have active TB, while other children in her tutor group at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls in Birmingham had tested positive for a latent form of the virus.
It is understood the child with active TB was confirmed in December last year, yet it is only in the past few weeks that parents were told.
Headteacher Linda Johnson confirmed: "Everyone has been offered a test. We have talked to our parents recently about the situation. We have emailed them and sent out letters.
"However you will have to talk to Public Health as they are taking the lead on this."
Public Health England confirmed it is working with the local NHS in Birmingham and the school.
Dr Huda Mohamed, consultant with the PHE West Midlands Health Protection Team, said: "We undertook some screening after an individual associated with the school was diagnosed with TB last year.
"TB is a serious disease, but the risk of catching TB infection is small. It requires prolonged and close contact with somebody who has TB, such as someone living in the same household. TB can be fully treated with a course of special antibiotics.
"The screening uncovered a small number of individuals who tested positive on their screening, but have no symptoms. These positives are likely to be due to latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and so are being offered treatment and follow up clinics.
"LTBI is when a person has been infected with TB bacteria but does not have any symptoms of active disease. Active pulmonary TB, on the other hand affects the lungs and causes symptoms such as a persistent cough, loss of appetite, weight loss, or excessive sweating, particularly at night.
"Individuals with LTBI do not pose a public health risk as people with LTBI can't spread the illness to others.
"Cases of LTBI can usually be effectively treated with a course of antibiotics, which would last between three and six months. We are working closely with the local authority and TB Nurses in Birmingham to ensure that the best advice and support is provided for all concerned."
