A TOWNSVILLE university student has tested positive for tuberculosis.
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service says the case is isolated and cannot be considered an outbreak.
The hospital has confirmed the student is undergoing treatment and is no longer infectious.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service respiratory physician Dr Anthony Matthiesson said the
hospital was currently in the process of arranging contact tracing for anyone who has had
extended contact with the student.
“The contact tracing will be undertaken as per the Department of Health’s stringent TB
guidelines and we are working with the university to arrange contact with anyone who has had
prolonged contact with the student,” he said.
“There is a very low probability of anyone being at risk.”
Dr Matthiesson said there was no cause for community alarm.
“Tuberculosis is very treatable and is uncommon in most communities in Australia these days,”
he said.
Tuberculosis is spread through air droplets and enters the body through the airway.
The symptoms of TB include severe cough for more than two weeks, sudden unexplained
weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, and possibly coughing up blood.
James Cook University is helping the THHS to contact anyone who has had extended contact with the student.
Anyone with concerns can contact the tuberculosis call centre on 1300 367 840 or speak to
their GP.
Further information is available at http://www.health.qld.gov.au/chrisp/tuberculosis/about_TB.asp
Originally published as Uni student tests positive for TB