JEDDAH — A student at a south Jeddah school is being treated for tuberculosis, according to a letter from the principal to the city's director of schools' health. In the letter, which was seen by Okaz/Saudi Gazette, the principal asked for all students and teachers to be examined and necessary precautionary measures applied. The letter stated that the student was diagnosed with tuberculosis and is currently in Taif Chest Diseases Hospital. Other students in the class and their teachers were also examined. Two students and a teacher were suspected of being infected with the disease. However, 650 students in other classes were not examined. The director of education in Jeddah, Abdullah Al-Thaqafi, said the Ministry of Education was aware of the situation and was coordinating with the city's Health Affairs. However, he denied claims that the disease has widely spread in Jeddah's schools. Tuberculosis is a contagious disease that is transmitted through the air and infects the lungs. Its main symptom is coughing up blood. Infected patients have to be isolated in hospital for months until they are completely cured.
