A senior student at Lincoln High School has been diagnosed with probable tuberculosis (TB). The Canterbury District Health Board (DHB) has said that the student is responding well to the treatment and will probably come back to the school after few weeks.

Tuberculosis is a rare disease in Canterbury and figures reveal that only 27 cases of the disease were reported in 2010. Only six cases have been reported this year, till date. Experts believe that the infection is quite prevalent in people travelling from overseas and it occasionally spreads from person to person in New Zealand.

Medical Officer of Health for Canterbury District Health Board, Dr. Ramon Pink said that the close contacts of the student, which includes family members, teachers and students, will be also be screened for infection.

Dr. Pink said, “Staff from Community and Public Health will be meeting with teachers, students and parents at Lincoln High School this week to talk about TB and answer any questions they may have”.

The Canterbury DHB said that the symptoms of the infection include weight loss, feeling tired constantly, sweating at night and a persistent cough. Anyone who experiences these symptoms must visit their doctor to avoid any complications.