A case of tuberculosis was reported in a nursery school

A case of tuberculosis was reported in a nursery school in Libourne, Gironde. Screening will be organized by the Anti-Tuberculosis Center of the department.

A case of infectious tuberculosis was reported at a nursery school in Libourne in the Gironde, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional health agency told BFMTV.com this Tuesday, February 6, confirming information from Sud-Ouest. According to Le Figaro, the disease was found in a teacher.

The Bordeaux Anti-Tuberculosis Center (CLAT) is responsible for the investigation of contact subjects, referencing ARS. This Tuesday, he must hold an informational meeting with school staff and students’ parents to present them with the screening protocol.

As part of screening for tuberculosis cases, this screening is “based on a chest X-ray,” the health insurer points out on its website.

More than 4,000 cases per year

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacillus (mycobacteria of the tuberculosis complex or Koch bacillus) that mostly affects the lungs but which can sometimes also affect other organs, defines Public Health France.

When the lungs are affected, the disease spreads through the air, through the dispersion of droplets of bronchial secretions, especially when the patient coughs.

In France, tuberculosis is slowly declining. In 2021, 4,306 cases were detected.

Vaccination against tuberculosis (BCG) is recommended from 1 month of age, ideally during the second month, according to the public service website. The vaccine can be offered to high-risk children up to 15 years of age and to those who have not yet been vaccinated.