A suspicion of tuberculosis in a school, 250 children must be screened

“I thought TB didn’t exist anymore. When we give our children the vaccines, the doctors tell us that it is no longer necessary, that there are no more cases”. The testimony of this mother from Caumont-sur-Aure (Calvados), between Caen and Saint-Lô (Manche), on Actu.frsummarizes the ambient discourse.

A case would however have been detected in an adult caring for children during extracurricular times in the school of this town of 2,000 inhabitants. A screening must be organized in the coming days. 250 children, in contact with this person, are invited to participate.

Compulsory BCG vaccination for children and adolescents suspended in 2007

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a mycobacterium which is transmitted through the air to both children and adults. It most often affects the lungs but sometimes also affects other organs.

The public policies implemented have gradually reduced the disease in France since the 1970s. But vigilance is still required with regard to the multiplication of bacterial strains resistant to usually effective treatments, underlines the Ministry of Health.

The obligation of vaccination with BCG (or bacille Calmette-Guérin) in children and adolescents was suspended in 2007, in favor of a strong recommendation.