Tuberculosis case at Bottmingen school prompts tests for over 100 children

More than 100 children aged 8 to 12 are being tested for tuberculosis after a teacher at a school in Bottmingen, Basel-Landschaft, was diagnosed with the disease, SRF reported.

The teacher was diagnosed on Wednesday evening, has stopped teaching and is receiving medical treatment. The children had prolonged contact with the teacher during lessons.

The children will be examined preventively in groups at the University Children’s Hospital Basel, cantonal doctor Aref Al-Deb’i said. The examinations are being coordinated by Al-Deb’i, the Lung League and the hospital.

The canton has set up a hotline for parents. Al-Deb’i said the risk of infection was low and that tuberculosis was treatable.

The children do not have to go into quarantine because the disease develops slowly. A positive test does not necessarily mean that a child has developed tuberculosis.