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Community TB Screening Exercise in Llwynhendy – Next steps

Public Health Wales and Hywel Dda University Health Board are working together to provide clinical support to those patients identified as requiring further attention following the community tuberculosis (TB) screening exercise held in Llwynhendy, Carmarthenshire in June.

More than 1400 individuals were screened for TB over the course of the three-day exercise. While no active cases of TB disease were identified within the community, 76 cases of latent TB infection were detected. 

Latent TB is not infectious and cannot be passed to other people, however treatment is recommended to prevent the infection developing into active TB disease. 

The 76 individuals identified as having latent TB will have received an invitation to attend a dedicated TB clinic at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli to discuss the results and treatment.

Fifty-three individuals identified through the screening exercise as requiring repeat testing will also be sent a written invitation to attend one of the clinics.

Deferred screening is also being offered to approximately 1100 individuals by invitation only and on an appointment basis. 

This includes individuals who were not able to be screened, or who only received partial screening at the screening sessions in June; individuals requiring repeat testing after receiving inconclusive results in June; and a number of eligible individuals who have made contact through the helpline number since the screening sessions in June.

These steps mark the end of the open screening phase of the community screening exercise, with further screening now taking place by invitation only.

Dr Brendan Mason, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for Public Health Wales, said: “The aim of the screening exercise was identify active and latent TB cases in the Llwynhendy population so that affected individuals can proceed to treatment.

“As we enter the next phase of the exercise, we ask that all individuals who attended the screening that receive a letter asking them to attend a clinic to discuss the results, to ensure that they do so. 
“Similarly, we urge all individuals who receive an invitation to attend one of the deferred screening sessions, to make sure that they contact the screening centre to arrange an appointment at their convenience.

“These steps are vital if this ongoing outbreak is to be brought under control”.

As an additional control measure, patients who received negative results from the screening and who are aged 35 or younger will be invited by Hywel Dda University Health to receive a BCG vaccination in the coming weeks. 

Public Health Wales and Hywel Dda University Health Board are in the process of arranging dedicated BCG clinics in the area to carry out the vaccinations, and those eligible to attend will be notified in due course.