A primary school in Cork city where pupils are being screened for TB following the diagnosis of three cases among students is to delay its reopening by a week.
Over 220 pupils and staff at Ballintemple National School began the process of being screened for TB last week.
The screening involves clinic attendances at St Finbarr's Hospital in Cork involving a questionnaire, administration of a Mantoux skin test and a chest x-ray if required. For some individuals, a blood test may also be needed.
The results of the Mantoux test are read within 48 to 72 hours. A positive test does not necessarily mean that a person has TB. A chest X-ray is arranged if the test is positive.
The three affected children have started TB treatment and are under specialist paediatric care. Screening is also being offered to their family members.
Classes at the school will now begin on September 6th.
The HSE, which is still trying to determine the source of the disease, has moved to reassure parents that the outbreak is treatable.
Dr Margaret O’Sullivan, a consultant in public health medicine in the HSE South, says the screening process for TB will assist in the tacking of the outbreak.
“What we would be looking for is an infectious source - somebody that has this contagious form of TB. Once a person commences treatment they are generally non infectious, if they have that type of TB, after about two weeks,” she said.
“Screening is always important. We have notifications throughout the year. We do the process obviously on a smaller scale it is just that everybody is aware now of what we are doing. We do this behind the scenes all the time.”
The HSE said the mainstays of any TB control programme continue to be early case diagnosis, prompt and appropriate treatment and early identification, screening and follow-up of contacts.
The Irish Thoracic Society said the outbreak highlighted the need for improvements in screening to fight the disease.
About 400 cases of TB are recorded in the State each year.
The HSE has set up an information line for parents with queries in relation to the TB outbreak. The phone number is 1800 742800 and it is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.