CASES of tuberculosis (TB) have soared by 80 per cent in Southampton over the past 12 months.
Health specialists in the city have revealed that the rate of infection rose from 25 in 2011 to 45 last year as a result of a particularly virulent strain of the potentially lethal disease.
Now, in a bid to prevent further spread of the infection, experts in Southampton marked World TB Day by showcasing the specialist clinic dedicated to slashing the number of cases and educating residents about the dangers of the disease.
Dr Ben Marshall, TB lead for Southampton General Hospital, told the Daily Echo that the increase of cases last year, at a time when cases are dipping across the UK, related to an outbreak that affected the city’s Somali community, believed to be imported from abroad.
But thanks to recent advances in technology, medics were able to identify the strain, allowing consultants and specialist nurses to improve care, ask the right questions and work out where the transmissions were taking place.
Dr Marshall, who set up the clinic based at the Royal South Hants Hospital, said: “It was unusual in the sense that this was one particular strain which accounted for many of the cases in Southampton in 2012.
“Vigilance is key, both for those within the community and local healthcare professionals.
“World TB Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness about our service, especially in the St Mary’s area, where most of our patients come from.
“It is useful to make local GPs aware who might not see very many cases each year.
“I don’t think we should ever be resting on our laurels, we should always be aware of TB and its ability to come back, particularly in areas of poverty.”
To boost awareness about the services available in Southampton, deputy leader of Southampton City Council, Councillor Jacqui Rayment, visited the TB clinic, which is run by Solent NHS Trust.
The service provides a full TB service to all age groups, with screenings available for those who are suffering from symptoms, or those who are new entrants into the city from high risk countries for TB.
The team, which sees about 50 patients a week, screened 203 new entrants to the UK in 2012 and gave 834 babies and children the BCG vaccination.
Cllr Rayment said: “TB can affect anyone, at any time, but it is not easy to catch and fortunately it is a curable disease with a course of drugs.
“Our GPs can quickly refer anyone to get screened and treatment as appropriate.”
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