Cape Times reports that undergraduate medical students in Cape Town are at high risk of occupationally acquired TB, with an unmet need for comprehensive occupational health services and support.  

These were the findings of a study conducted by experts from Stellenbosch University and NGO, TB Proof, and published in the SA Medical Journal.  Medical students acquired latent tuberculosis (TB) infection at a rate of 23 cases/100 person-years, the study indicated.  Most participants cited poor TB infection-control practices at their training hospitals as a major risk factor for occupational TB.  UCT health sciences faculty spokesperson Linda Rhoda said that since 2014, the faculty has had 11 students who were reported to have had TB.  “All of the students diagnosed with TB were successfully treated with the appropriate medication and protocols.  A provincial health department spokesperson said if a student contracted TB, one could not automatically conclude that he or she contracted it at a health facility.

• Read this report by Lisa Isaacs in full at Cape Times

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page