TB screening offered to 100 nursery tots

AROUND 100 nursery children are set to be offered screening for tuberculosis (TB) after a member of staff was diagnosed with the condition.

Letters have been sent to parents of children attending the Daisy Day nursery in Llanishen, Cardiff, to advise that their children will be offered screening in the first week of September.

Public Health Wales says the screening is taking place when it is most likely to provide an accurate result – six weeks after potential exposure to the infection.

Officials say the risk that the infection has spread to children is low and screening is being offered as a precaution.

Screening is also being offered to around 20 members of staff identified as close contacts of the patient.

Dr Gwen Lowe, from Public Health Wales, said: “We are emphasising to parents and staff that it is unusual for TB to be transmitted within a nursery environment but we are offering screening as a precaution.

“Close contact with an infectious individual over a long time period, such as living in the same household, is usually required for a person to become infected with TB.

“The infection is difficult to catch but easy to treat with antibiotics.

“Other close contacts of the person who has been unwell have already been traced and there is no wider public health risk and no need for anyone in the wider community to be concerned or to be screened.”

Daisy Day has another day nursery in the Barry area, but there is no risk to children who attend that premises.

TB is an infection usually found in the lungs, but any part of the body can be affected.

Anyone can catch TB by breathing in the bacteria in tiny droplets sneezed or coughed out by someone who has TB in their lungs.

The most common symptom of TB in adults is a persistent cough.

Other symptoms can include weight loss, a high temperature, and sweating, particularly at night.

In small children, symptoms are usually non-specific but can include fevers at night, decreased appetite and increased tiredness.

Anyone who is concerned about their health should speak to their GP or contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.