Tasmanian childcare centre on alert after child treated for tuberculosis, parents contacted

A child in Tasmania’s north has been treated for a case of tuberculosis, sparking an urgent warning a childcare operator.

Goodstart Early Learning’s centre in Kings Meadow has been forced to contact parents after being informed one if its children had been treated for tuberculosis.

The centre was made aware by the Tasmanian health department last week, although a spokesman said the child has not been present since mid-July.

Responsible for around 1.3 million deaths worldwide, tuberculosis is extraordinarily rare in Australia - with roughly just five cases for every 100,000 people.

The disease is preventable and curable, but can be deadly if left untreated.

The centre has confirmed that testing is being made available to children who came into close contact with the child and staff members as a precautionary measure.

“Public Health Tasmania has advised our centre team and families that a child who has been treated for tuberculosis had attended our centre a month ago, and another centre in the local area,” a Goodstart Early Learning spokesman said.

“We’ve closely followed the directions of Public Health Tasmania and our own infectious diseases policy since being contacted last week.”

The centre said that since being made aware of the case, it had started contacting parents, confirming it remained open as normal.

“Yesterday, we were able to share information provided by Public Health Tasmania which advised our families that while the child had last attended our centre in mid-July, there was a low risk for some children and educators who had been in close contact.

“The centre remains open and continues to operate as normal with rigorous hygiene and cleaning part of our usual routine.”

Parents who are concerned are urged to contact their GP or the state’s public health hotline on 1800 671 738.

Public Health Tasmania and Launceston General Hospital is arranging testing of individuals identified as close contacts of the child.

Originally published as Tasmanian childcare centre on alert after child treated for tuberculosis, parents contacted