Horror as deadly Victorian era disease explodes in school outbreak | World | News
Thousands of students were warned after the deadly disease appeared in a school. Authorities were alerted to a student who tested positive for tuberculosis, considered the world’s deadliest infectious disease, on Tuesday, March 24.
It is believed that thousands of people may have been exposed to the disease and health officials are working with the school to limit transmission. Tuberculosis is a highly contagious, airborne infection that attacks the lungs and other organs. Symptoms include persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up blood or mucus, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. It is considered a Victorian disease because it reached epidemic levels in Britain in the 19th century.
As reported by Daily MailA student at Grissom High School in Huntsville, Alabama, tested positive for the disease earlier this week. The Madison County Health Department is currently working with the school to assess the extent of possible exposure.
The school has a student population of approximately 2,000. All were notified of the outbreak and offered voluntary tuberculosis testing on Thursday, April 2.
Dr., a pediatrician at Huntsville Hospital. Kym Middleton told local news station WAFF48 that the best way to prevent the disease is to ensure people “cover their face when they cough or their mouth when they cough or sneeze.”
He added: “Make sure you wash your hands pretty consistently with soap and water, make sure you don’t cough or sneeze, always make sure you cover your mouth because it helps.”
Tuberculosis infects several thousand people and kills approximately 500 people each year in the United States. But around the world, approximately 1.2 million people die from the disease every 12 months.
Along with the initial symptoms, patients may also experience severe breathing difficulties and extensive lung damage. The infection can spread to the brain and spine.
The NHS said: “Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection that usually affects the lungs. It can be treated with antibiotics but can be serious if left untreated. There is a vaccine to help protect some people at risk of tuberculosis.”
