An outbreak of tuberculosis has hit a girls school in Birmingham, according to the BBC.
As many as 30 pupils at Birchfield Independent School for Girls, in the Aston area of the city, have tested positive for the disease.
A single pupil contracted TB last summer and later transmitted the condition to members of their immediate family.
The decision to test pupils at the school, which teaches an Islamic curriculum, was taken in February this year.
Dr Andrew Rouse, a consultant in public health, said there was no need for the public to be alarmed.
The girls affected with the disease will have to undergo a six-month course of antibiotics.
Dr Keith Prowse, chairman of the British Lung Foundation said rates of TB are on the rise in the UK but the disease is normally curable with a course of antibiotics.
"It's vital that immediate action is taken to investigate the TB strain involved and isolate people affected if necessary.
"Drug resistant strains of TB are rising around the world but there have only been a very small number of cases in the UK so far."
As many as 30 pupils at Birchfield Independent School for Girls, in the Aston area of the city, have tested positive for the disease.
A single pupil contracted TB last summer and later transmitted the condition to members of their immediate family.
The decision to test pupils at the school, which teaches an Islamic curriculum, was taken in February this year.
Dr Andrew Rouse, a consultant in public health, said there was no need for the public to be alarmed.
The girls affected with the disease will have to undergo a six-month course of antibiotics.
Dr Keith Prowse, chairman of the British Lung Foundation said rates of TB are on the rise in the UK but the disease is normally curable with a course of antibiotics.
"It's vital that immediate action is taken to investigate the TB strain involved and isolate people affected if necessary.
"Drug resistant strains of TB are rising around the world but there have only been a very small number of cases in the UK so far."
