All 300 pupils at Limerick secondary school offered screening for TB
The first case occurred in March 2008 and although more than 150 contacts were screened no other cases were found at that time.
“As with all newly notified cases of TB, it is necessary to identify and offer screening to those who have had ongoing close contact with the case, to rule out any possibility of TB infection, a HSE spokesman said. “This approach is in accordance with national guidelines. If no evidence of TB infection is found... then it will not be necessary to extend screening to others.”
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection, usually involving the lungs and is spread by droplets of mucus coughed into the air by an infected person. Anyone who shares breathing space with someone who has infectious TB in his or her lungs can catch it.
Antibiotic treatments are highly effective, but must be taken over a period of six months or more to fully cure it.
If TB is left untreated it can be very serious or fatal. Because of this, when someone is diagnosed, people who have been in close contact may need tests to check whether they are infected. This is called ‘contact tracing’, and could involve family and friends who are living with the person with TB, and sometimes close school or work colleagues and social contacts. “Exposure to the TB germ may be determined by doing a skin test. The test is safe and involves a small injection to the skin on the forearm. A chest X-ray is usually done if the test is positive,” the HSE spokesman said.
Tuberculosis is rarer now in Ireland than 40 years ago. There were nearly 7000 cases a year in the early 1950s. The incidence of TB has declined steadily since then.
An average of 40 cases have occurred per year in the mid-west, with 418 nationally.
The BCG vaccination (vaccine against TB) is recommended for newborn babies. It is also recommended for those aged 10-15 years.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
