Pupils tested after teacher gets TB

PUPILS have been offered free screening for tuberculosis after a teacher was diagnosed with the disease.

Clough Hall Technology School in Kidsgrove said one of its staff was being treated for TB, but was expected to make a full recovery.

Staffordshire County Council said it was working with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and North Staffordshire Primary Care Trust to tackle the situation.

The council said in a statement: "In line with national guidance, family contacts have been offered screening. As an extra precautionary measure, all identified close contacts within the school will also be offered screening."

In a letter to parents, the school, which has about 750 pupils and sixth-form students, said the risk was extremely low.

The letter read: "A member of our teaching staff was recently diagnosed with TB. We are pleased to inform you that the staff member is receiving appropriate treatment."

It added: "The risk is extremely low and usually only affects close household contacts. It is very unlikely there has been any transmission of TB to students and staff. There is no ongoing risk of the disease spreading.

"As a precaution, and per National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance, arrangements will be made to screen (using a skin test) a very small number of the closest contact pupils and staff. These arrangements are being made with the individuals and parents of the children."

TB is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by bacteria. It usually attacks the lungs but can also affect the central nervous system.

Dr Nic Coetzee, below, consultant for the HPA in Staffordshire, said: "The risk of catching TB infection is fairly small as it generally requires prolonged and close contact with someone who has TB to pose a risk.

"TB is generally a preventable and curable condition. The trick is to diagnose it early and get people with the infection into appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

"In most circumstances they will be completely cured in approximately six months on TB drugs and they will cease to be infectious after just two weeks on treatment."

He added that symptoms of TB could include fever and night sweats, a persistent cough and weight loss.