A high school student in Lyon was infected with tuberculosis last September. Parents of students were notified this week.
- A case of tuberculosis was detected in September in Lyon.
- In France, around 4,000 cases are detected each year.
- According to the World Health Organization, it is the deadliest infectious disease.
The parents of the students learned by email: a case of tuberculosis was detected at the Branly high school in Lyon last September. Since then, the infected young person has recovered and been able to return to classes. The management of the establishment announced that an information meeting would be organized and that a precautionary protocol would be put in place.
Tuberculosis in Lyon: a situation “under control”
In one article, Progress shares the content of this message sent to families: “In this situation and despite the very low risk of contamination, the precautionary principle naturally applies. You will receive a letter specifying the terms and variations of the precautionary protocol. A meeting at the high school, scheduled for Wednesday, November 13 at 6 p.m., will allow you to meet (the nurse).” To the Lyon media, the rectorate specifies that some students will be tested, but that the situation is “completely under control”.
A decrease in tuberculosis cases in France over the past 30 years
This infectious disease is caused by a mycobacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (sometimes called Koch’s bacillus (BK). It is transmitted “by micro-secretions suspended in the air by a person sick with tuberculosis, particularly when they cough, speak, sing or sneeze.indicates the Ministry of Health. However, it is less contagious than the flu and measles: prolonged and close contact is required for the disease to be transmitted from one person to another. “It also depends on the degree of contagiousness of the sick person as well as the duration of contact (at least several hours of contact are usually necessary).”completes the ministry.
In France, 4,306 cases were detected in 2021.This incidence has decreased significantly over the last two years, linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, while it has been declining regularly but weakly for decades, on average of –1.7%/year over the 30 recent years”specifies Public health France. The organization emphasizes that the disease more frequently affects homeless people, those in prison and those born outside France.
Tuberculosis: the deadliest infectious disease
“Tuberculosis mainly affects adults in the prime of life. However, all age groups are at risk.”complete theWorld Health Organization. She highlights that 80% of cases and deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. At the end of October, the WHO announced that 1.25 million people will die from tuberculosis in 2023.Globally, tuberculosis is likely to once again become the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, while coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) held that position for the previous three years.estimates the organization. More than ten million people contracted the disease last year.
