LETTERS are being sent home to Teign School parents today following a confirmed case of active tuberculosis (TB) in a pupil.

The Year 11 pupil is receiving treatment and is recovering well and, unlike the cases last year, is considered to be a low infectious risk. TB is a curable bacterial infection, which is treated with antibiotics.

Headteacher Mark Woodlock said: ‘It’s always difficult to share news that one member of our community is not well. We are working closely with Public Health England (PHE) to ensure that immediate action is taken to locate and treat any individuals who may also be affected and that parents are provisioned with all necessary information.

‘We continue to provide support to the student who has been affected and look forward to their return to school at the earliest opportunity.’

As a precautionary measure, TB screening is being offered to pupils who have been identified as having close prolonged contact with the affected pupil.

Based on the information at present, there does not appear to be a greater risk to other students in the school than exists in the outside world. Advice from Public Health England is that students should attend school as normal.

Dr Sarah Harrison, of Public Health England South West, said: ‘As many parents will remember, a number of students from Teign School were found to have TB during the last academic year and screening of the whole school took place.

‘It is currently unclear whether this case has a connection to last year’s outbreak. The tests that show this take several weeks.

‘Parents should be aware of the symptoms of TB. Should their children show these symptoms, they should seek advice from a doctor. The symptoms to look out for are a persistent cough for more than three weeks, feeling unusually tired or ill, unexplained loss of weight or loss of appetite, fever and heavy night sweats and coughing up blood.

‘It’s important to stress that the people who are most at risk are those living in the same household. TB is a curable infection, which can be treated effectively with antibiotics, particularly if found early.

‘We are again working closely with the school to provide guidance and expert input. A letter from the school containing advice from PHE is being sent to all students and staff offering information and general advice.’