Queensland hit by 53 tuberculosis cases in six months

A Queensland high school student has been struck down with tuberculosis while up to 40 babies in the state are being tested for the disease, after they came into contact with an infected hospital employee.

The student at Caboolture High School went into quarantine last week after they tested positive to the illness, concerning several parents of other students.

“It is a concern, but hopefully I’ve got my son all immunised,” one mother said.

“You want all the kids to be tested – not just your own,” another parent said.

There are concerns about the disease 53 people in the state have been diagnosed this year.

Last month, a Gladstone Hospital worker tested positive, prompting the screening of up to 40 infants under the age of two may have come into contact with the employee and contracted the illness.

Tuberculosis is more common in Asian and African nations, however doctors have urged all parents to be vigilant with getting their children immunised against the illness.

Vaccinations against the disease are free in Queensland, although not mandatory.

The disease can be fatal if it remains undetected, and some symptoms may not be noticeable for up to three months.

Common symptoms include fever, coughing and sneezing, weight loss, and coughing up blood.

Doctors said the likelihood of contagion was low, because the disease required close and constant contact to transmit.

For more information on tuberculosis and prevention, visit www.health.qld.gov.au.