Patients contacted in TB alert

Hospital staff are being tested for TB

More than 150 patients at a Plymouth hospital have been contacted after a member of staff contracted tuberculosis (TB) over the summer.

It is the second case of the disease at Derriford Hospital in the last year, although the cases are not related.

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust said the member of staff is being treated for the disease.

The hospital is writing initially to patients who may have been in contact with the member of staff in July, which is considered to be the infectious period for the member of staff with the disease.

It is the second case of TB at Derriford in a year

The trust says the majority of patients who are being contacted are at very low risk and do not need to do anything unless they develop symptoms of TB in the next few months.

Dr David Dance of the Public Health Laboratory said: "TB is relatively uncommon in this part of the UK.

"There are around 20-30 cases each year in south and west Devon. Most cases can be treated with a six-month course of antibiotics."

TB is caused by bacteria called the tubercle bacillus or Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Depending on the strain of TB, it can affect the lungs or other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, the skin and the bones.

Symptoms of TB include: prolonged coughing for more than two weeks, fevers, night sweats, unexplained weight loss and coughing up blood.

Staff from Plymouth Hospital's NHS Trust are being advised to contact the occupational health department.

Any patients who are worried have been advised to contact the NHS Direct helpline.