A case of TB has been confirmed in a Kent hospital.

Around 300 staff and patients have been assessed after the case was confirmed in a healthcare worker at the short stay ward at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

The Health Protection Agency is working with East Kent Hospital Trust after the case of TB was confirmed.

But healthcare experts have assured all those concerned that the risk of contracting TB in this way is extremely low.

About 40 people will be offered screening. This is because they may be at slightly increased risk, perhaps due to their own medical condition which could mean that their natural immunity is lowered.

Dr Mathi Chandrakumar, drector of the Kent Health Protection Unit, said: "The risk of contracting TB in this way is very low: TB is difficult to catch and does not spread easily from person to person. To be at risk of contracting the disease, you would need to spend many hours in close contact with someone who is openly infectious and coughing up TB germs. It is readily treatable with a course of antibiotics.

"Those who have been offered screening, possibly because of their own medical condition or reduced immunity, have already been identified and are being offered appointments."

The healthcare worker is on sick leave and is receiving treatment.

For more information contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or the Health Protection Agency website www.hpa.org.uk/infections

~ Listen: Dr Chandrakumar explains the facts of TB >>>

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