Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Nov 12/01) - Students in Fort Simpson's elementary and secondary schools are being tested for tuberculosis as a result of several positive tests for exposure.

Lynne Morin, manager of health services for Deh Cho, said the tests only confirm the individuals have been in contact with the TB bacteria "at some time in their lifetime.

Nurse Shannon Swartzentruber extracts Mantoux solution for tuberculosis testing at the Fort Simpson Health Centre. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

"It in no way indicates that they have tuberculosis," she said.

Those who tested positive have undergone blood work, x-rays and sputum tests to ensure they haven't contracted active TB, according to Morin. They have also been placed on an antibiotics program for up to one year. It's recommended that they continue to be tested annually for the rest of their lives.

Anyone who lives with those who tested positive will also be tested in a process known as "contact tracing," she added.

Although there had not been a confirmed case of TB in Fort Simpson as of Friday, the possibility does exist that someone is carrying the active bacteria, Morin acknowledged.

"That's why we're being so cautious... just to be sure that we don't have somebody in the community who has active pulmonary TB," she explained, adding that there's no reason for panic. "We have a good surveillance program and our protocols are being followed."

The students who tested positive were part of an annual TB testing program involving Kindergarten and Grade 8 or 9. It's not unusual to have a positive test or two, Morin said, but when several were identified, an additional public health nurse was brought in from Manitoba to administer tuberculosis tests on all students.

Most babies born in the NWT are vaccinated against TB, she noted.

Tuberculosis facts

- Common TB symptoms include a persistent cough, night sweats, fever, weight loss, chest pain and fatigue.

- The TB germ enters the lungs and may not become active for many years.

- TB is spread through tiny droplets in the air when someone who has TB coughs, sneezes, laughs or talks loudly. It is not transferred through door knobs or other objects.

- If detected early, it is easily treated with medications. Those who have been infected can prevent the onset of active TB through antibiotics.