Screenings are being carried out after a case of tuberculosis (TB) was linked to a Valleys pub. Public Health Wales is working with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to screen close contacts of an individual associated with the Welcome Inn in Tonypandy.
Investigations have identified a number of close contacts who have been invited for screening. The risk to the general public is low, and no outbreak has been declared, Public Health Wales said.
There is nothing to suggest that the person contracted TB at the pub. Instead, it is thought that they attended the pub when they unknowingly had the infection. As a precaution around 70 close contacts have been offered testing.
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Elizabeth Marchant, locum consultant in health protection at Public Health Wales, said: “TB is difficult to transmit. It requires close and prolonged contact with an infectious individual, such as living in the same household, for a person to become infected.
“I would stress that the risk of infection with TB to the general public remains very low. The screening being carried out in Tonypandy is a routine part of established infection control procedures, and people invited for screening have been identified as part of the investigations into this case of active TB.
“In order to facilitate the screening process, it will be carried out at the Welcome Inn. I would like to thank the Welcome Inn for their help in this. If any other positive TB infections are identified as a result, appropriate treatment will be offered. TB is curable with a full course of treatment.”
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