Newport: All pupils and teachers offered TB screening as person link to school tests positive

Public Health Wales said there is nothing to suggest that the case contracted TB at the school and they attended the premises when they unknowingly had the infection. Credit: Google Maps

All pupils and staff at a school in Newport who have had contact with a person that tested positive for tuberculosis will be offered screening, Public Health Wales has confirmed.

Investigations are underway after a case of tuberculosis was identified at The John Frost School in Newport.

As a precaution all pupils and teachers who had contact with the individual will be offered screening for TB.

Public Health Wales said there is "nothing to suggest" that the case contracted TB at the school, rather they attended school when they "unknowingly had the infection".

Though it stressed that no outbreak has been declared.

James Adamson, Acting Consultant in Health Protection at Public Health Wales and chair of the multi-agency incident management team said people who may have had contact with the individual concerned have been identified, contacted and offered screening for TB.

  • What are the most common symptoms of tuberculosis?

According to the NHS, they are:

  • A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks – you may cough up mucus (phlegm) or mucus with blood in it

  • Feeling tired or exhausted

  • A high temperature or night sweats

  • Loss of appetite

  • Weight loss

  • Feeling generally unwell

The main treatment for tuberculosis is to take antibiotics for at least 6 months, according to the NHS.

Mr Adamson added: “TB is difficult to transmit. It requires close and prolonged contact with an infectious individual for a person to become infected. In this instance, and to limit the potential spread of infection, we are treating all pupils and teachers who may have had contact with the individual as close personal contacts.

“I would stress that the risk of infection with TB to the general public remains very low however, we encourage parents, pupils and staff members to be aware of the symptoms.”

  • Anyone linked to the school with symptoms should call their GP or Public Health Wales’ Health Protection Team on 0300 00 300 32