No children at risk says head at TB school

The headteacher of a Black Country school where a person, believed to a trainee teacher, tested positive for tuberculosis insisted today that no pupils were at risk.

Pank Patel, headteacher at Wood Green High School, Wednesbury, said that the advice of the Health Protection Agency was being followed and that 190 pupils were due to be screened next week, purely as a precaution.

At Leasowes Community College, Halesowen, 122 pupils are also to be screened after possibly coming into contact with the same person. Twelve members of staff at the two schools are also being checked, and a helpline has been set up for worried parents on 0121 612 1773. People with concerns can also speak to their family doctor or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Guidelines and advice have been sent to parents since the case of TB was announced on Tuesday.

Mr Patel said: "We have taken all the necessary precautions and advice. Pupils are not at risk – this is not like swine flu.

"We are advised by the Health Protection Agency that it is only transferred through prolonged contact."

Screenings will take place separately at both schools on Tuesday and will involve a simple skin test.

Children will attend the school clinics again on Thursday and the reaction to the test will be assessed.

Dr Naveed Syed, consultant for the Health Protection Agency, said: "We recognise that this is a time of concern for both parents and children and we are working to make sure they have all the information they need to advise on what is a worrying but treatable infection."

Symptoms of TB can include fever and night sweats, persistent cough, weight loss and blood in sputum.

The person who contracted TB is understood to be a trainee teacher.