No need to ‘widen’ screening

EDUCATION Minister Mary Coughlan does not believe there is a need to widen screening for tuberculosis nationally following an outbreak of the disease among pupils at primary school.

The Health Service Executive has determined that six children have TB and another 31 have a latent form of the disease after three cases were notified among pupils of Scoil Iósaf Naofa in Ballintemple in Cork. Ms Coughlan said she hopes officials will be able to identify the source of the infection and address the affected children’s needs.