Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/06/02/11920_gold-coast-news.html
Uni students face TB threat
Katrina Jones
02Jun08
HUNDREDS of Griffith University students may have been exposed to the potentially deadly tuberculosis disease after someone on the Gold Coast campus was diagnosed with TB.
More than 380 students will be tested by Queensland Health for any signs of the disease, starting tomorrow.
Queensland Health confirmed the infected person was receiving specialist medical treatment but would not release details of the patient.
It is not known when the patient was diagnosed with the disease, but staff and students at the university were notified last week that they required testing.
Communications student Melinda Pollard, pictured, was advised in writing that she had 'been in proximity' (shared a common environment) with a person recently diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB).
"Thus there may be a small risk that you acquired some TB germs as a result of such exposure," said the Queensland Health letter.
Miss Pollard said she was worried and wished more information about the outbreak had been provided.
"They seem to be down-playing the issue, but I guess that's to make sure people don't freak out," she said.
"I want to know more about it and what's happening and who the person is.
"The first I heard about it all was in a letter, but there's the possibility that I have been in contact with so many other people since this person was diagnosed.
"What happens if I have it.
"I'm a little bit nervous but they say it's rare and hard to contract."
Griffith University pro vice-chancellor Colin McAndrew said the university was working closely with Queensland Health to provide staff and students with the Mantoux test -- a tuberculin skin test -- tomorrow.
Staff and students must return to the university on Thursday for the skin reading and to assess the need for further follow-up such as chest X-ray, clinical assessment or a second Mantoux test.
"The Queensland Tuberculosis Control Centre has confirmed that tuberculosis has a low infection rate and is extremely difficult to contract unless contact is prolonged and continuous," said Mr McAndrew.
Queensland Tuberculosis Control Centre Senior Medical Officer Dr Hiranthi Walpola said in Queensland there were about 120 new tuberculosis notifications each year, or about two cases every week.[/B]
"There is generally a minimal risk of transmission in most situations," she said.
"Any person who is infected can receive preventative treatment to cure the infection before symptoms develop."
Dr Walpola said TB seldom began with striking signs or symptoms.
For more information contact the Queensland Tuberculosis Control Centre (07) 3896 3955, their local doctor or the 24-hour 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) advice line.
Uni students face TB threat
Katrina Jones
02Jun08
HUNDREDS of Griffith University students may have been exposed to the potentially deadly tuberculosis disease after someone on the Gold Coast campus was diagnosed with TB.
More than 380 students will be tested by Queensland Health for any signs of the disease, starting tomorrow.
Queensland Health confirmed the infected person was receiving specialist medical treatment but would not release details of the patient.
It is not known when the patient was diagnosed with the disease, but staff and students at the university were notified last week that they required testing.
Communications student Melinda Pollard, pictured, was advised in writing that she had 'been in proximity' (shared a common environment) with a person recently diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB).
"Thus there may be a small risk that you acquired some TB germs as a result of such exposure," said the Queensland Health letter.
Miss Pollard said she was worried and wished more information about the outbreak had been provided.
"They seem to be down-playing the issue, but I guess that's to make sure people don't freak out," she said.
"I want to know more about it and what's happening and who the person is.
"The first I heard about it all was in a letter, but there's the possibility that I have been in contact with so many other people since this person was diagnosed.
"What happens if I have it.
"I'm a little bit nervous but they say it's rare and hard to contract."
Griffith University pro vice-chancellor Colin McAndrew said the university was working closely with Queensland Health to provide staff and students with the Mantoux test -- a tuberculin skin test -- tomorrow.
Staff and students must return to the university on Thursday for the skin reading and to assess the need for further follow-up such as chest X-ray, clinical assessment or a second Mantoux test.
"The Queensland Tuberculosis Control Centre has confirmed that tuberculosis has a low infection rate and is extremely difficult to contract unless contact is prolonged and continuous," said Mr McAndrew.
Queensland Tuberculosis Control Centre Senior Medical Officer Dr Hiranthi Walpola said in Queensland there were about 120 new tuberculosis notifications each year, or about two cases every week.[/B]
"There is generally a minimal risk of transmission in most situations," she said.
"Any person who is infected can receive preventative treatment to cure the infection before symptoms develop."
Dr Walpola said TB seldom began with striking signs or symptoms.
For more information contact the Queensland Tuberculosis Control Centre (07) 3896 3955, their local doctor or the 24-hour 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) advice line.