The following information from Public Health Wales is shared on behalf of Llanelli Rural Council Chairman Cllr. Sharen Davies
Community leaders briefing note on Llwynhendy TB community screening exercise, June 2019
BACKGROUND
An outbreak of Tuberculosis (TB) was declared in Llwynhendy, Carmarthenshire on 9 November 2010 following the identification of TB cases in the local area.
At that time Public Health Wales and Hywel Dda University Health Boards traced and screened close contacts of all known TB cases and offered treatment where appropriate.
Public Health Wales and Hywel Dda University Health Board have continued to closely monitor and investigate the outbreak since its inception in 2010.
Since 2010, in line with standard practice, the contacts of all new cases of TB have been identified and offered screening and appropriate treatment.
In keeping with the long incubation period of TB, cases of active TB are still presenting in the area. In total, 29 cases of active TB disease are now linked to the outbreak.
There is evidence to suggest that there are a number of as yet unidentified active TB cases in the Llwynhendy population that can be linked to the outbreak.
There is also evidence to suggest that there are a number of latent TB cases in the Llwynhendy population that can be linked to the outbreak.
The aim of the screening exercise is to identify any current active TB and latent TB cases in the Llwynhendy population so that affected individuals can proceed to treatment and the outbreak can be brought under control.
These active and latent cases may include:
- Adults who have come into close contact with someone infected with TB who have previously been identified by a healthcare professional, but who have not been screened or received treatment for TB
- Adults who have come into close contact with someone infected with TB who have previously been identified by a healthcare professional, but were last screened for TB before July 2013
- Customers and employees of the Joiners Arms between 2005 and 2018 who have not previously been identified by a healthcare professional as having come into contact with someone infected with TB
- Adults who have been in the same room for more than 8 hours as someone infected with TB within four months prior to their diagnosis and treatment
ACTION TAKEN TO DATE
9 November 2010 – TB outbreak declared in Llwynhendy following the identification of 3 TB cases in the local area. Close contacts of all know TB cases screened and offered treatment where appropriate.
Extensive contract tracing of all new cases of TB, with screening and appropriate treatment offered to all identified contacts.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
Public Health Wales and Hywel Dda University Health Board will be holding a series of community screening sessions in the Llwynhendy area on 4 and 5 of June 2019.
Screening sessions will be held at the following times and locations:
- Tuesday 4 June 2019, 8am to 10am
Parc y Scarlets, Maes-Ar-Ddafen Road, Llanelli SA14 9UZ
- Tuesday 4 June 2019, 11am to 2:30pm
Joiners Arms, 58 Llwynhendy Road, Llanelli SA14 9HR
- Tuesday 4 June, 4.30pm to 8pm
Llwynhendy Health Centre, Llywnhendy Road, Llanelli SA14 9BN
- Wednesday 5 June 2019, 8am to 10am
Parc y Scarlets, Maes-Ar-Ddafen Road, Llanelli SA14 9UZ
- Wednesday 5 June 2019, 11am to 3pm
Llwynhendy Health Centre, Llywnhendy Road, Llanelli SA14 9BN
TARGET POPULATIONS GROUPS
Around 80 people in the Llwynhendy area who have been identified as contacts of confirmed TB cases will receive a letter (including an information sheet about TB) inviting them to be tested during the community screening.
An additional call is being issued to the following population groups to attend screening:
- Adult customers and employees of the Joiners Arms public house in Llwynhendy between 2005 and 2018 only, who have not previously been identified as a contact of someone infected with TB
- Adults who have been in the same room for more than 8 hours as someone with TB, within four months before the person with TB was diagnosed and treated
Although the screening is targeted at these specific population groups, we understand that some individuals may not be certain if they fall into one of these groups.
If in doubt we are advising individuals to attend for screening as staff will be on hand to discuss eligibility. Individuals can also get more information on the screening exercise by calling 02920 827 627.
TESTING PROCESS
A blood test and chest x-ray will be offered at the screening session to test for TB. If these tests are positive further investigation and treatment as appropriate will be arranged in hospital outpatient clinics.
WHY NOW?
Public Health Wales and Hywel Dda University Health Board have been closely monitoring and investigating the Llwynhendy TB outbreak since its inception in 2010.
Evidence suggests that carrying out a community screening exercise at this time is the best course of action in order to bring this outbreak under control.
Carrying out the exercise at this time also coincides with a shift in global, European and UK strategies on TB, which are now very much focused on achieving the World Health Organization target of eradicating the disease by 2035.
