Health Dept: No TB Transmission In School
The Department of Health confirmed that screening for tuberculosis [TB] in the P3 class at Heron Bay Primary School was completed on Monday [Oct 22]. In total 54 individuals were screened, and results indicated that there has been no transmission of TB in the school.
A statement said: “School officials and families were notified of this reassuring news on Tuesday, October 23rd and advised that follow up written communication from the Department of Health would be sent to all families in the coming week.
“According to the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a second screening in 8-10 weeks will be conducted on all P3 children and staff with negative initial screenings.
“If other members of the public wish to be screened for TB, this free service is available at the Hamilton Health Center, 67 Victoria Street, in the Child Health Clinic on Mondays through Wednesday from 8:30am to 11:30am. A return visit for the reading of the TB screening test is required two to three days following administration.
“As previously expressed, TB is uncommon in Bermuda with only a few infections reported each year to the Epidemiology & Surveillance Unit. However, it is a very common infection in the developing world, and travel to these areas of the world can expose individuals.
“TB is spread from person to person through the air. When an infected person coughs, sneezes or otherwise expels infected saliva droplets into the air, others can inhale these infected droplets and become infected. Close contact with an infected individual or inhaling aerosolized droplets in the air is required for infection to occur.
“Not all individuals who become infected with TB become ill. Tuberculosis infection is often without symptoms, and is called “latent TB”. When an individual becomes ill, we call it “Active TB”. In the classic case of active respiratory TB the individual experiences fever, night sweats, weight loss, poor appetite, fatigue and shortness of breath.
“Reliable testing and treatment for TB is available. The screening test for TB is a simple skin test and/or a blood test. Chest x-rays are sometimes required as part of the evaluation.
“Affected individuals are treated with an anti-tuberculosis medication, or a combination of medications, for several months. Close medical monitoring is required to assure adequate treatment. Adequately treated individuals are no longer infectious to others after a few weeks of treatment, and may return to work or school. Typically, with treatment, individuals recover fully from the disease.
That’s when you’ll see the true results. “second screening in 8-10 weeks” Incubation period people!