TB scare at Pretoria school: Two staff members test positive, one dies

A tuberculosis (TB) scare has hit the Pretoria School for Learners with Cerebral Palsy after two staff members tested positive for the disease, with one tragically losing their life.

While no students have tested positive, health officials have conducted screenings, and the school continues monitoring staff and learners for symptoms.

The acting head of communications at the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), Khutso Rabothata, confirmed that two staff members at the school tested positive, and none of the learners tested positive.

“The Skinner Clinic TB team conducted an investigation on the 2nd and 5th of September, testing close contacts.

“The learners tested negative, but the Occupational Therapist who worked closely with the learners and a General Assistant tested positive and has been placed on sick leave for isolation.”

Rabothata said the General Assistant sadly passed away.

“Ongoing observation for symptoms on staff and learners will continue.”

The World Health Organisation explained that tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria. It spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or spit.

“Tuberculosis is preventable and curable. About a quarter of the global population is estimated to have been infected with TB bacteria. About 5–10% of people infected with TB will eventually get symptoms and develop TB disease.”

It furthermore said those who are infected but not (yet) ill with the disease cannot transmit it.

TB disease is usually treated with antibiotics and can be fatal without treatment.

Here are the symptoms of TB:

People with latent TB infection don’t feel sick and aren’t contagious. Only a small proportion of people who get infected with TB will get TB disease and symptoms. Babies and children are at higher risk.

Certain conditions can increase a person’s risk for tuberculosis disease:

• diabetes (high blood sugar)
• weakened immune system (for example, HIV or AIDS)
• being malnourished
• tobacco use.

Unlike TB infection, when a person gets TB disease, they will have symptoms. These may be mild for many months, so it is easy to spread TB to others without knowing it.

Common symptoms of TB:

• prolonged cough (sometimes with blood)
• chest pain
• weakness
• fatigue
• weight loss
• fever
• night sweats.

The symptoms people get depend on where in the body TB becomes active. While TB usually affects the lungs, it also affects the kidneys, brain, spine and skin.

Can you prevent the tuberculosis infection and spread?

Follow these steps to help prevent tuberculosis infection and spread:

• Seek medical attention if you have symptoms like prolonged cough, fever and unexplained weight loss as early treatment for TB can help stop the spread of disease and improve your chances of recovery.
• Get tested for TB infection if you are at increased risk, such as if you have HIV or are in contact with people who have TB in your household or your workplace. 
• If prescribed treatment to prevent TB, complete the full course. 
• If you have TB, practice good hygiene when coughing, including avoiding contact with other people and wearing a mask, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and disposing of sputum and used tissues properly.

“Special measures like respirators and ventilation are important to reduce infection in healthcare and other institutions,” the WHO said.

Also read: Don’t suffer in silence: How Pretoria teens can get help for suicidal thoughts

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