Beijing TB rumour denied
(eastday)
Updated: 2005-04-06 08:47

The Beijing Center for Tuberculosis Prevention and Treatment yesterday refuted rumors that tuberculosis is spreading widely at the Beijing-based China Agricultural University, saying that there is no epidemic and people have no reason to worry.

An Yansheng, head of the center, said the five students confirmed to have TB are under medical treatment and no more cases have been diagnosed in the university. "We have tested 550 students and no more cases have been found," said An. "It is not an epidemic."

The Agricultural University found its first TB case on January 17, when a student in the Veterinary Department came to the campus clinic because of physical discomfort. He was diagnosed with TB a week later.

Another student from the same department was diagnosed with the disease on March 7 after returning from his hometown.

Ten days later, a third student was found with TB because he was coughing up blood.

According to the university Website, five cases have been confirmed, three infectious and two non-infectious. Three were from the Veterinary Department, one from the Agriculture and Biological Techniques Department and the other from the Resources and Environment Department. Rumors about the disease abound around campus. Students left messages on the campus Website saying there were actually more than 70 students in the Veterinary Department infected with TB and the university was trying to hide the fact.

Students in other departments were scared to talk to those in the three departments with infections, The Beijing News reported.

"We want the university to tell us the truth, but no one explains what is going on," a student told the paper.

"We are not hiding anything," said Qian Xuejun, head of the university publicity department. "It is for the health authority to claim if there is really an epidemic or not."

Accord to An, the university has been cooperating with the TB prevention and control department in Haidian District and the municipal health departments since the cases were found. In the first group of 90 students who underwent physical examinations, 72 students were "strongly positive," which means they were infected by TB virus.

"Testing 'strongly positive' does not mean you have the disease. China has a high proportion of TB positive and the ratio in this university is still normal," said An. The second group of students had the test in late March and An said no more cases were found.

Although people are worried, campus life goes on as usual. "I have heard about it, but my work is not affected," said Gu Xiaohong, a teacher in the English Department.

Close

Faye Wong in a race to tie the knot? Spanish actress Penelope Cruz TV show says no to Britney

Today's Top News     Top Life News
Japanese textbook distorts history, stirs fury         Shops called to boycott Japanese goods         ADB: China's economy expected to grow 8.5%         400,000 to relocate for water project         Possible US textile safeguards draw criticism         Shrine visit angers both sides of Straits	Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton boozing again       Goodbye Silk Street, hello shopping mall?       Maid says Jackson shared bed, showered with boy       Sudan I discovered in 88 kinds of food       Beijing TB rumour denied       Faye Wong in a race to tie the knot?