In Gironde, more precisely in Libourne, two children from the Jean Jaurès nursery school tested positive for tuberculosis, an infectious disease, generally pulmonary, caused by Koch’s bacillus.
- According to the Nouvelle Aquitaine Regional Health Agency, two cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were detected in a nursery school in Libourne, in Gironde.
- The affected children have been taken care of and screening (chest x-ray, immunological test) will be organized among other students and teachers at the establishment.
- Other cases of this infectious disease have been identified in Rouen and Lons-le-Saunier.
On Wednesday, November 20, the Nouvelle Aquitaine Regional Health Agency announced that it had detected, a few days ago, two cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the Jean Jaurès nursery school in Libourne, in Gironde. According to France Blue Girondethe two affected children come from the same siblings. After testing positive, the toddlers were isolated and taken into care. They therefore no longer present a risk for the school establishment.
Screening currently being organized to detect possible secondary cases of tuberculosis
“On analysis of this situation, it was agreed between the Anti-Tuberculosis Center (Clat) and the ARS to extend screening to the entire establishment. Screening will include students, teachers and professionals identified as contact cases in the school”, relayed South-West Gironde after consulting a joint press release from the ARS and the department. This screening includes a chest x-ray and an immunological test. People, outside of school, who have been in close contact with children, will also be screened so that they can quickly benefit from appropriate treatment in the event of infection and to “avoid the spread of disease.” This Thursday, November 21, an information meeting is scheduled at the Jean Jaurès school with parents and school staff.
Tuberculosis: one person affected at the Rouen faculty and six proven cases in Lons-le-Saunier
Other cases of tuberculosis have been reported in other regions of France. In Normandy, more precisely at the University of Rouen, a student who attended the city’s faculty, “Pasteur site”, is affected by “contagious tuberculosis”, according to France 3 Normandy. Thanks to a survey carried out by Clat de Seine-Maritime, around 70 contact cases, including around sixty students and around ten teachers, were identified. “People in contact with the case do not have to put in place specific barrier measures apart from the recommended measures in the event of respiratory symptoms”indicates the ARS. However, they will have to be screened by carrying out a chest x-ray and a blood test.
Since July, cases of tuberculosis have also been reported within the CapVie shelter and the Foyer Jeunes temporary reception center in Lons-le-Saunier in the Jura. According to Progresssix cases are proven and the patients are hospitalized for medical treatment and an assessment of their level of contagiousness.
Tuberculosis, a notifiable disease which affects 4,000 to 5,000 French people per year
As a reminder, tuberculosis is a notifiable disease caused by Koch’s bacillus (BK), also called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In 70% of cases, the latter affects the lungs but other forms exist such as cutaneous, renal, lymph node or bone tuberculosis. It is transmitted through the air when affected people cough, sneeze or spit. Each year, between 4,000 and 5,000 cases of tuberculosis are declared in France, according to the weekly epidemiological bulletin from Public Health Francepublished on July 5.
