Thirty-three children 'treated for TB' at Westminster nursery » Health » 24dash.com

Thirty-three children at a nursery are being treated for tuberculosis (TB), the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said today.

It said it was responding to a "cluster" of TB cases at a nursery in Westminster in central London, after an adult linked to the nursery was diagnosed with the disease over the summer.

Seven children have been diagnosed with an active infection and have been put on a six-month course of antibiotics.

Another 26 have been found to have the TB bacteria in their bodies but do not have an active infection.

TB can lie dormant in the body so those children are on a shorter three-month course of antibiotics.

One adult is receiving full treatment for TB and another six are on the shorter course of treatment.

The HPA said screening was carried out of all people who had had close contact with the infected adult, who was diagnosed in July.

"Results have now been received for most of the children who were screened and seven children are receiving antibiotic treatment for TB," the HPA said in a statement.

"A further 26 children who came into contact with the patient will need a shorter course of antibiotics.

"Some further tests are still being examined and because TB can be difficult to diagnose in children, it is possible that some children may require further tests to ensure they are properly diagnosed and treated if necessary.

"All adults who currently work at the nursery have been screened and this showed that one required full treatment, and a further six required a shorter course of treatment.

"The adult on full treatment has been excluded from work.

"Although it is thought unlikely that this second adult case will be infectious to others, some of their close contacts are also being followed up and offered screening."

The original patient is receiving treatment and is no longer infectious.

Just over 3,300 people are diagnosed with TB - a serious infection which usually affects the lungs - each year in London.

Symptoms include a dry irritating cough, which can get worse over the course of a few months.

Over time, patients start to cough up a lot of phlegm, which may contain blood.

Other symptoms are fever, sweats, weight loss, pains in the chest, and poor appetite.

Dr Brian McCloskey, the HPA's director of the London region, said: "We carry out screening for TB on a regular basis in London. However, this incident is different to the others due to the number of children and adults who have been affected.

"It is too early to say why so many children and adults have been infected and we will be looking into this over the coming weeks.

"A possible explanation for this may include that the initial case was particularly infectious and had been suffering from symptoms for eight months before doctors had diagnosed TB.

"We understand that this is a very concerning time for the parents of these children and as a result we have been working very closely with them to provide them with all the information, support and advice that we can.

"We have also been working very closely with the local NHS who have worked tirelessly to arrange special clinics for all the children concerned at very short notice.

"It is important to remember that TB is an entirely treatable infection and that anyone identified as being infected can be treated.

"Those children who have come into contact with the patient, but not developed any symptoms or signs in their chest X-rays, will also be offered a shorter course of antibiotics to clear the bacteria from their body."