HSE confirms new TB case

THE number of people infected with TB at two Cork crèches has risen to 20 following confirmation by the Health Service Executive (HSE) last night of a new adult case.

However, the latest diagnosis has been described as “a non-infectious” case, meaning the person in question has a latent form of the disease and poses no threat of infection to others.

The HSE said there were “no implications for screening at either crèche as a result of this new case”. This is a relief for public health officials who have battled to contain the outbreak since the first case of TB was notified to it on March 15. Since then, 17 children and three adults have been diagnosed with the disease at crèches in Little Island, Co Cork, and Douglas in Cork city.