A PRIMARY school in Cork city, where pupils are being screened for TB following the diagnosis of three cases of the disease among students, has decided to delay its reopening by a week, with classes now starting on September 6th.
Last Monday, more than 220 pupils and staff at Ballintemple National School began the process of being screened for TB.
The screening involves clinic attendances at St Finbarr’s Hospital in Cork, with questionnaire completion, administration of a Mantoux skin test and a chest X-ray if required. For some, a blood test may be indicated.
The results of the Mantoux test are read within 48-72 hours. A positive test does not necessarily mean a person has TB. A chest X-ray is arranged if the test is positive.
The three affected children have started anti-TB treatment and are under specialist paediatric care. Screening is also being offered to their family members.
Meanwhile, the HSE is trying to determine the source of the disease but has moved to reassure parents that the outbreak is treatable.
Dr Margaret O’Sullivan, a consultant in public health medicine in HSE South, said the screening process for TB would assist in the tacking of the outbreak.
“What we would be looking for is an infectious source, somebody that has this contagious form of TB. Once a person commences treatment, they are generally non-infectious, if they have that type of TB, after about two weeks.
“Screening is always important,” Dr O’Sullivan added. “We have notifications throughout the year. We do the process obviously on a smaller scale. It is just that everybody is aware now of what we are doing.”
The HSE said the mainstays of any TB control programme continued to be early case diagnosis, prompt and appropriate treatment and early identification, screening and follow-up of contacts.
The Irish Thoracic Society said the outbreak highlighted the need for improvements in screening.
Fine Gael TD in Cork Deirdre Clune also wanted to know how the HSE was allowed to discontinue the BCG vaccination programme in Cork for more than 30 years even though it was still available in the rest of the Republic.
The BCG programme was reinstated in Cork in 2008 following a 36-year gap in the service.
Medical experts say TB usually affects the lungs, but any part of the body may be affected. The initial infection is often undiagnosed or is put down to the flu.
The HSE has set up an information line to assist parents with queries on the TB outbreak. The number is 1800 742800, open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.