Camden News: South Camden Community School | Tuberculosis

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Camden News - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 9 October 2008

South Camden Community School

School moves to quell fears over TB

PUPILS at South Camden Community School face blood tests after six pupils were diagnosed as suffering from Tuberculosis (TB).
The school, in Charrington Street, Somers Town, raised the alarm at the end of last week and has begun a mass screening programme of pupils and staff.
It is the second time in two years that health chiefs and Camden’s schools service have been faced with a bout of the disease. In 2006, three children were treated.
The illness was once a common killer but was largely eradicated by vaccinations. It affects the lungs, and can be treated as long as the symptoms are recognised. Sufferers feel tired, can get fevers and shortness of breath. In advanced cases, TB sufferers cough up blood.
Five of those affected have already been given the all clear – they had a type of TB that is not infectious – while the sixth is still being treated with antibiotics.
Parents have been invited to meet with staff at the school on Tuesday to have any concerns discussed.
Gráinne Nixon, from the North East and
Central London Health Protection Unit, said: “Infectious tuberculosis is a disease that typically requires close, prolonged and frequent contact with a person with TB disease in the lung before transmission occurs.
“The greatest risk of the disease spreading is therefore to people who live in the same household. The risk to contacts outside of the household, including those in a school setting, is usually low.”
But she added: “Because three of the six students have an identical strain... and are in different year groups, we have decided to screen everyone at the school as a precaution.
“I would like to reassure parents that TB is not a disease that is easy to catch. It is, however, important that everyone is aware of the symptoms.”

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