A KIRKHAM school has been hit by a TB scare.
Children at Carr Hill High are to be screened.
A member of staff who worked at the school between October and February has been diagnosed with the disease.
Tuberculosis was also detected at another Fylde school - Palatine High in Blackpool.
During
the six to eight week incubation period both schools have been monitored but so far no new cases have been found.
Health authorities have been made aware of the two separate cases.
They are not linked and health experts have stated that the risk of further infection is extremely low.
The Health Protection Agency, the organisation responsible for investigating cases of TB and other diseases, is currently working with the local primary care trusts and the two schools involved.
Information and advice has been offered to staff and parents.
As a precautionary measure, some children and staff at the schools who have had close contact with the individuals concerned are to be offered a simple test for TB.
Dr Sohail Ashraf, consultant in health protection at the HPA, said: "The risk of catching TB is very low indeed and there is no need for any undue concern."
The symptoms of TB can include one or more of the following:
- Cough for at least two-three weeks
- Blood in the sputum (spit)
- Chest pain when breathing
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss.
TB can be completely cured with a course of antibiotics.
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