Nursery children treated for TB

An adult staff member was diagnosed with TB in July

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

Students and staff were screened after an adult linked to the Knightsbridge Kindergarten in Eaton Square was diagnosed with the disease in July.

Seven children have an active infection and are undergoing a six-month course of antibiotics, the HPA said.

Another 26 have TB bacteria in their bodies, but have no active infection.

Further tests

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

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

The adult who was diagnosed with the disease in July has been receiving full treatment and is no longer infectious.

A statement from the HPA said: "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.

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 Dr Brian McCloskey, HPA

"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."

Dr Brian McCloskey, the HPA's London director, 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 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."

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