New Brunswick Public Health is holding an information meeting for parents about tuberculosis (TB) at Bernice MacNaughton High School tonight.
A case of TB was diagnosed in the school community about two weeks ago.
The patient, who isn’t being identified by public health, is reportedly doing well after being isolated.
Regional medical officer of health Dr. Yves Leger says he understands some parents may have anxiety but it’s important to note that tuberculosis is not very contagious.
“So I want to try and put that into perspective for folks. I want to explain what the disease is. Hopefully reassure them a little bit that it’s not something that is as contagious as things like influenza or measles,” he notes.
Dr. Leger believes the risk to the school community is low.
He says it takes eight weeks before someone can be tested for TB but he adds most people who become infected will never develop the disease.
The information session starts at 6:30 tonight at the Bernice MacNaughton auditorium.
