South Australia is now confronting its worst tuberculosis outbreak in decades, with 19 cases now active.
According to SA Health, one new case is a five-year-old linked to the cluster of cases in the Murraylands.
The total number of active cases linked to the cluster is now six, including two children and one historical case. Most of the cases in this cluster are connected as close family members.
Another new case is a person who recently travelled between Adelaide and Port Augusta, while potentially infectious.
There is also currently an outbreak in several Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands communities.
Symptoms of active Tuberculosis include a bad cough that lasts longer than two weeks, pain in the chest, and coughing up blood or phlegm, and sometimes recurrent fevers and weight loss.
High-risk contacts are those people considered to have frequent, prolonged, and close contact with an active case, such as living in the same household or dwelling.
The State Government continuing to identify high risk close contacts and provide specialist screening clinics.
Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, said there is no need for community members to alter their activities in response to these cases.
“People identified by SA TB Services as a potential contact will be asked to undergo screening. This is important for their own health and the health of their loved ones,” Professor Spurrier said.
“The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination has also commenced for babies and young children under five years old who live in the APY Lands. BCG vaccination for other people in relation to these clusters is not recommended.”
More information about tuburculosis is available on the SA Health website.
