Newport: Pupils and teachers offered TB tests after positive case at school

Pupils and teachers at a school in south Wales will be tested for tuberculosis (TB) after a positive case was identified.

The individual who tested positive is associated with The John Frost School in Newport.

The case is under investigation by Public Health Wales, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Newport City Council.

Health officials say all pupils and teachers who had contact with the person concerned will receive an offer to be screened for TB.

Officials are keen to stress there is nothing to suggest they were infected while at the school, but they did attend while unknowingly infected. No outbreak has been declared at this stage.

James Adamson, acting consultant in health protection at Public Health Wales said the multi-agency incident management team he is chairing is "following established infection control procedures".

"We have identified individuals who may have had contact with the individual concerned," he said.

These individuals have been contacted and offered screening for TB which is easily treated with a course of antibiotics. Local GPs have been informed.

"This is a routine process, and if any other positive TB infections are identified as a result, appropriate treatment will be offered."

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Mr Adamson stressed that the risk of TB infection to the general public remains "very low" and encouraged parents, pupils and staff to "be aware of symptoms".