Experts to address TB fears after outbreak

EXPERTS in public health medicine, disease surveillance and respiratory illness will gather in Cork on Monday night to address parents of children attending two creches where 19 people have been diagnosed with TB.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) are preparing to fly in Dr Philip Monk, a British-based consultant in communicable disease control, to form part of the seven-strong consultant line up who will attend the meeting at the Silversprings Moran Hotel in Cork city.

The other members of the HSE’s high-level Outbreak Control Team and advisory group to address the meeting include: Dr Margaret O’Sullivan, consultant in public health medicine, HSE in Cork; Dr Darina O’Flanagan, director, Health Protection Surveillance Centre; Dr Muireann Ni Chroinin, paediatric consultant, CUH; Dr Terry O’Connor, consultant respiratory physician, Mercy University Hospital; Dr Elizabeth Keane, director of public health medicine, HSE in Cork and Dr Patrick Wall, professor of public health, UCD School of Public Health and Population Science, chair.

The meeting has been arranged to address the concerns of parents whose children are caught up in the outbreak affecting Nurture Childcare in Douglas, Cork city and Panda Paws Preschool and Childcare facility, Little Island, Co Cork.

Last night the HSE confirmed another case had been diagnosed — at Nurture Childcare — bringing to 19 the total number of infections spread over both crèches since March 15.

In addition, approximately 220 children whose TB skin test results were negative have undergone chest X-rays and are also on a two-month course of preventative antibiotics. Approximately 20 children with a latent form of TB are on a nine-month antibiotic case. Some staff are also on preventative treatment.

Dr Monk said the outbreak control team had been “exceptional” in their approach.

The meeting which Dr Monk will attend on Monday begins at 7.30pm, and is by invitation-only.