The person with
TB is currently receiving treatment and there is no ongoing risk to children
and staff at the child care centre.
It is important
to note that the risk of tuberculosis infection having spread to staff and
children is low and
treatments for TB are highly effective. Australia has a long history of
successfully containing and treating tuberculosis.
Unlike other
bacterial infections, TB is not readily spread from child to child and any
spread is usually only after prolonged exposure.
However,
precautionary measures are being taken and screening for TB will commence at
the centre on Wednesday, February 11, for all staff and children who had
attended the centre between December, 2014 and January, 2015.
There are up to
15 staff and 92 children from 78 families who have attended the childcare
centre during that period.
A Tuberculin Skin
Test, which is a small injection into the forearm similar to an allergy skin
test, will be used to screen for possible exposure.
Infants (less
than 12 months old) and all children with an immunosuppressive condition will
be assessed by a specialist TB physician for preventive antibiotic therapy.
Dr Sheppeard,
Director, Communicable Diseases Branch, NSW Health, said should any children or
staff have a positive skin test, a chest x-ray examination and specialist
medical review will be arranged.
Information
sessions have been organised for parents for Wednesday evening and specialist
TB nurses and public health staff are speaking directly with parents to give
them full information about testing and treatment options, answer questions and
arrange testing and assessment.
“TB usually
affects the lungs. Typically, it is spread through the air by coughing
from people who have active tuberculosis. Fortunately, treatment for
tuberculosis is highly effective,” said Dr Sheppeard.
“Tuberculosis is
a common disease worldwide. In Australia, about 1,200 cases are diagnosed each
year making it a relatively uncommon condition here,” said Dr Sheppeard.
Information is
also available on the NSW Health website:
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/Tuberculosis.aspx
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/tuberculosis/Pages/default.aspx