Pupils to be screened for TB

The employee, who works at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes, fell ill on 13 March.

However, Fife NHS Board has moved to reassure staff and pupils that the risk of contracting the disease is small.

A spokeswoman for NHS Fife said letters had been sent to parents offering advice on the screening process.

She said the family and friends of the worker, who was not a teacher, had also been offered screening.

Dr Charles Saunders, the board's consultant in public health medicine, said this was "routine procedure".

" The screening programme is intended to offer reassurance "
Dr Charles Saunders
NHS Fife

"Although it is unlikely that anyone else at the school has become infected, this cannot be totally ruled out," he said.

"As a precaution, all pupils and staff are being offered a TB screening test.

"It is important to stress that although TB can be a serious illness, it usually responds well to treatment.

"The screening programme is intended to offer reassurance and help ensure that the appropriate treatment is in place in the unlikely event that any other pupils or staff are found to have contracted TB."

There are about 20 cases of tuberculosis every year in Fife.

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