By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 11:55, Thursday, 21 March 2013

Almost 30 cases of tuberculosis have been reported in Cumbria in the past year.

Figures for the airborne disease have been released by Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust ahead of World TB Day on Sunday.

Cases in Cumbria have more than doubled since 2008, although it is still treatable with antibiotics.

TB is a bacterial infection, spread though prolonged exposure – usually by inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person.

Secondary schoolchildren were vaccinated against tuberculosis as part of the Government’s immunisation programme.

However, this was abolished in 2005 as it was established that while cases have been rising in the past 20 years, it was typically among migrant families.

TB nurses now screen all entrants to the UK and vaccinate babies and children who are recognised as at risk. Cumbria’s TB nurses treat patients throughout the six-month course of antibiotics, and also screen families for signs of the disease.

Mairi Black is one such nurse. She said that while historically TB was associated with poverty, people need to overcome that association.

“Many people are embarrassed about TB because it has a stigma attached to it of poverty and dirtiness,” she explained. “Years ago TB spread quickly through large families who lived in cramped conditions and through factory workers who worked in close proximity.

“Although the disease can spread through families, it is people who have lower immunity who are more at risk.”

First published at 11:40, Thursday, 21 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk