Seven students of Tashithang Middle Secondary School in Samtse’s Tading Gewog have tested positive for Tuberculosis. Health authorities say the cases are under control, and all affected students are being monitored closely. Meanwhile, the district health team continues its screening programme across schools in Samtse.
Tashithang Middle Secondary School in Samtse has reported seven confirmed cases of Tuberculosis in one female and six male students.
The first case was detected on 14th February when a student, feeling unwell, sought medical treatment in Phuentsholing with his parents.
Since then, five more students from the same school were also diagnosed with TB after visiting the Phuentsholing Hospital.
The rising number of cases prompted the district health team, supported by a team from Thimphu, to carry out a TB screening programme at Tashithang Middle Secondary School. The screening, which concluded yesterday, identified one additional TB case, bringing the total to seven.
Besides screening the entire student body, health workers also examined close contacts of the affected students. All students who tested positive were placed under medical care and home quarantine for about two weeks in line with health protocols.
According to the district health team, all the affected students are recovering well, and one of them has already returned to school.
Health officials say all seven students will undergo a follow-up checkup after two months.
The health team has launched TB screening campaigns in several schools in Samtse. Currently, screenings are underway at Norbugang Central School.
Similar programme will also be conducted at Tendruk, Peljorling, and Samtse schools, and the Samtse College of Education.
Health officials say Samtse has been witnessing frequent TB cases in recent years. Last year alone, 40 cases were reported in the district. So far this year, Samtse Hospital has already recorded about 15 cases, excluding the seven cases from Tashithang Middle Secondary School.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
