Parents of students were informed this November 5, via an email, that a case of tuberculosis had been detected at the Branly high school (Lyon 5th).
“In this situation and despite the very low risk of contamination, the precautionary principle naturally applies. You will receive a letter specifying the terms and variations of the precautionary protocol. A meeting at the high school, scheduled for Wednesday, November 13 at 6 p.m., will allow you to meet (the nurse),” specifies this message obtained by Le Progrès.
For the moment, the students concerned do not know any more, except that this case must be “in their close entourage” because the message was only sent to certain parents, indicates to the Progress a parent receiving the email.
A case which dates back to the end of September
As this is a notifiable disease, we contacted the Regional Health Agency but it referred us to the rectorate. Which confirmed to us, on November 6, that a case of tuberculosis had indeed been identified in this establishment… at the end of September.
Since then, the student has been treated and has returned to classes, specifies the rectorate which assures that “the head of the establishment has already organized an information meeting”. Meeting to which the parent of the student concerned whom we interviewed was not invited.
“The situation is completely under control”
The rectorate also specifies that “some students will be tested” and that “the situation is therefore well known and completely under control”. A statement somewhat out of step with the message sent on November 5 evoking “a precautionary protocol”, on which neither parent of the student that we interviewed nor Progress did not obtain any precision. Is this delayed alert explained by the long incubation time for tuberculosis, which ranges from one to three months?
Only 5 to 10% of people infected with tuberculosis develop the disease and its symptoms. The only protection is vaccination (which is no longer compulsory).
In 2022, 463 cases of tuberculosis were declared (+18% compared to 2021) in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. The majority concerned men under 45 (63%) born abroad.
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