TB health alert for teachers and pupils
Cathkin High will be screened as a precaution
Teachers and pupils are being called in for a health screening this week after a Cambuslang teen was infected with turberculosis (TB).
A pupil at Cathkin High has been receiving treatment after being diagnosed with the disease, which is now uncommon in the UK but can be passed on through contact.
TB was once a deadly disease, however it can be safely and effectively treated when diagnosed.
The Cathkin High pupil is recovering well, and now NHS Lanarkshire is working with the school and South Lanarkshire Council in a precautionary public health exercise.
NHS Lanarkshire’ s department of public health, with support from the school, is inviting a number of carefully- assessed pupils and staff who had regular contact with the affected pupil, for TB screening.
Those identified should receive a letter inviting them for screening through the post by Wednesday (today).
TB is a bacterial infection which is normally treated with antibiotics. It is not easily passed from person to person and generally the risk to others is low.
Other pupils and staff not identified as close contacts will be offered advice and support.
Dr Femi Oshin, consultant in public health medicine for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “TB is difficult to catch. The people who are most at risk are close contacts – usually those living in the same household with an infectious person.
“Quite often, not all those living in such proximity will catch the bug.
“National guidance and best practice recommends that, even though the risk is widely recognised as low, as a precaution, we consider screening some social contacts like other pupils and staff who have had relatively longer contact with the case.”
Dr Oshin added: “TB is a curable infection normally treated using antibiotics.
“If we do identify anyone with the TB infection following the screening they will be referred for further investigation and treatment.
“We have sent letters inviting the persons who qualify for screening, while the school has distributed letters to the rest of the school pupils and staff with general information and advice.”
Anne Marie McNair, head of Cathkin High School, added: “The wellbeing of our pupils and staff is of paramount importance which is why we have been working with NHS Lanarkshire to identify and screen some pupils and staff.
“I would like to thank all pupils and staff for their support and cooperation during this time.”