A 15-year-old schoolgirl has died from tuberculosis in Birmingham, a month after the Government blamed immigration for soaring infection rates in the city. Alina Sarag died at the city's Children's Hospital last Thursday after catching the bacterial disease that usually attacks the lungs. It was not clear how the teenager contracted the illness but recent TB figures have revealed a big increase in cases in parts of the city.
Alina Sarag died from tuberculosis at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
A source close to Golden Hillock School where Alina studied, claimed school staff had been checked for TB because so many pupils had been infected. They did not wish to be named. The source said: 'I think it's disgusting. I know the school and the authorities cannot stop this but they should be more open. Pupils have been off with this illness in the last few years but this is the first death.
'Staff have even been screened for the illness because of the number of cases of pupils contracting TB.'
The Health Protection Agency said officials would consider whether to screen for TB those who had prolonged contact with Alina.
Last month, it was revealed the Government had blamed immigration for soaring TB rates in Birmingham.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the 30-year high was due to a major influx of infected people from countries where TB was rife.
The inner city area has the same rate of tuberculosis outbreaks as many developing countries. In Handsworth and Aston, TB rates are running at more than 140 cases per 100,000, with anything above 40 per 100,000 viewed as a dangerous level.
The level has led to calls for the reintroduction of the mass vaccination of schoolchildren, a policy abandoned in 2005.
Mr Lansley said: 'Treatment services for patients will be commissioned through GP consortia but the identification and preventative work is a public health responsibility. 'Many of these local authorities in Birmingham or Manchester or Leeds will be well placed as cities to respond to any incidences of TB or outbreaks of TB on a preventative basis using their powers as public health authorities.'
Miss Sarag's death from TB was confirmed in a joint statement from the school, Heart of Birmingham Primary Care Trust and the Health Protection Agency.
Consultant Dr Will Welfare said: 'Unfortunately we can confirm we have been notified of the death of a pupil with TB and our thoughts are with the family at this time. 'It's important to stress, however, that the risk of catching TB is small as it generally requires prolonged, close contact with someone who has the infection. 'Parents and pupils should rest assured that, although TB is a rare disease in this country, we have good processes in place for when cases do arise. Effective treatment and testing is key because, while most people cease to be infectious after two weeks, the treatment for TB takes six months and it is important the full treatment is completed.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1346082/Schoolgirl-15-dies-TB-Government-warns-immigration-caused-rates-soar-city.html#ixzz1BOXb2OSL
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