Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Nov 23/01) - More students have tested positive for tuberculosis exposure since initial positive results prompted an expanded testing program in schools earlier this month.

- 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 doorknobs 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.

Lynne Morin, manager of health services for Deh Cho, declined to give the precise number of positive tests, saying it changes too often.

Several positive results -- indicating contact with TB bacteria -- turned up during annual tests in the elementary and secondary schools in early November, prompting a comprehensive check of all students. School testing is expected to be complete by the first week of December, Morin said. "We've not had anybody who actually has a full-blown case of TB," she said.

The tests only confirm the individuals have been in contact with the TB bacteria "at some time in their lifetime.

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

Those who have tested positive undergo blood work, X-rays and sputum tests. They are also placed on antibiotics for up to one year as a precautionary measure. It's recommended that they continue to be tested annually for the rest of their lives.

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

Although there has not been a confirmed, active case of TB in Fort Simpson, 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 said. Morin said there's no reason for panic.

"We have a good surveillance program and our protocols are being followed."

An additional public health nurse was brought in from Manitoba to administer tuberculosis tests on all students, as long as parents give consent.

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