THE HEALTH Service Executive has launched a TB screening programme for all pupils and staff at a Cork primary school after public health specialists were notified that three pupils at the school had tested positive for the disease over the past fortnight.
HSE South confirmed in a statement yesterday to The Irish Timesthat the three children who were diagnosed with the disease have started anti-tuberculous treatment and are under specialist paediatric care.
“An investigation of this cluster of cases is progressing in line with national TB contact tracing guidelines. An outbreak control team is co-ordinating the investigation and school management is liaising closely with the investigation team,” said the statement.
No source for the disease has been found yet , but screening has been organised for all of the school’s pupils and staff. This involves clinic attendances with questionnaire completion and a skin test, said the HSE South.
According to the HSE South, the mainstays of any TB control programme continue to be early-case diagnosis, prompt and appropriate treatment, and early identification, screening and follow-up of contacts.
TB, an infection caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, usually affects the lungs but can affect any part of the body.
It is a notifiable disease which medical practitioners must report to the HSE’s department of public health.
Those most likely to catch the disease are those living with a person with the infection.
If screening involving a symptom questionnaire and a Mantoux skin-test prove positive, a chest X-ray is arranged.