South Wales Echo

TB outbreak declared at Cardiff prison

- WILL HAYWARD will.hayward@walesonlin­e.co.uk

Reporter A TUBERCULOS­IS outbreak has been declared at Cardiff prison.

Public Health Wales have confirmed they are currently screening prison staff for the infection.

Tuberculos­is - or TB - is an infection usually affecting the lungs but any part of the body can be affected.

TB is usually caught by breathing in the bacteria in tiny droplets sneezed or coughed out by someone who has TB in their lungs but this requires prolonged and close contact.

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.

According to Public Health Wales the screenings follow a “TB-related incident” at the prison last year.

In a statement a Public Health Wales spokeswoma­n said: “Public Health Wales has been working closely with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service to follow up on a TB case associated with HMP Cardiff that occurred in 2017.

“Screening is currently in progress for prison staff who were in contact with the original case following the identifica­tion of one non-infectious case of TB related to the 2017 incident.

“An outbreak has been declared as per normal Wales arrangemen­ts.

“There is no infectious risk of TB associated Cardiff prison with this incident and no ongoing public health risk to staff, prisoners or the public.

“TB is difficult to catch and it requires close and prolonged contact with an infectious individual, such as living in the same household, for a person to become infected.

“The infection can be treated effectivel­y with antibiotic­s.”

The Ministry of Justice were contacted for comment.

Anyone concerned they may be affected can speak to their GP or contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.

More informatio­n on tuberculos­is is available from the Public Health Wales website at www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/43877 .

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