Invergordon TB probe after case confirmed
Dr Ken Oates is calling for calm
CHILDREN and staff at an Easter Ross primary are to be offered TB screening following confirmation a child has the infection.
The Health Protection Team at NHS Highland is working with Highland Council education officialsfollowing confirmation of a case of tuberculosis (TB) in a primary 1 pupil at South Lodge Primary School in Invergordon.
The affected child did not catch the infection at school and remains well.
A letter providing further information has been given to all parents and staff and NHS Highland is offering TB screening to the other pupils and staff in primary 1.
This will be carried out during the week beginning May 30.
For TB to spread, it requires the affected person to be infectious and also to have had prolonged, close contact with others. Such contact is usually only found in the home.
Although it is unlikely there has been any spread of infection in the school setting, as a precautionary measure, NHS Highland has decided to offer those who have had the most prolonged close contact a screening skin test for TB called a Mantoux test.
NHS Highland Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dr Ken Oates, said: “We realise some parents will be anxious about this, but would seek to reassure everyone that the measures we are taking are precautionary.
“In the unlikely event that another child is found to have TB infection, then effective antibiotic treatment is available.
“I would like to thank Glenn Paton, the head teacher, and his staff for their full cooperation and the help they have given us in dealing with this matter.”
Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium TB. It usually presents with respiratory symptoms such as a prolonged cough, often accompanied by sweats and weight loss. It usually responds well to antibiotic treatment.
More on this story in this week's Ross-shire Journal.
