It is not yet clear whether a child or one of the adults working at the school in Bergamo province has contracted the infection. The tests will help to understand if there is a possible outbreak of infection. GPs and paediatricians have now been informed of the situation and have been invited to pay extra attention to any symptoms of the disease
In a municipal kindergarten in Martinengo, in the province of Bergamo, a case of tuberculosis was reported and the surveillance plan was activated. It is not yet clear whether a child or an adult who works at the school where 52 children are cared for has contracted the infection. In any case, skin tests will be done tomorrow on children and staff.
The surveillance plan
The tests will help to understand if there is a possible outbreak of infection. The details of the monitoring plan will be established during a videoconference meeting between the technicians of the Prevention and Surveillance of Infectious Diseases Unit of the Health Protection Agency, the managers of the nurseries and the municipal administration. The plan has been activated precisely to prevent the possible spread of the infection and lasts for 12 weeks. General practitioners and paediatricians have been informed of the situation and have been asked to pay extra attention to any symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms
According to the Istituto Superiore di Sanità , the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis are cough (lasting more than 3 weeks), chest pain, fever and night sweats. Over time, the cough may be accompanied by the presence of blood in the sputum. Other symptoms are fatigue and weakness, weight loss. Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis can be mild for months. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and transmission of infection. If the tuberculosis is extrapulmonary, the symptoms depend on the site involved.
Source: TG 24 Sky