Dundee has a ‘significant’ number of tuberculosis cases, according to a new health report.
The Tayside Joint Health Protection Plan provides an overview of how NHS Tayside protects against major public health concerns.
In details of problems unique to Dundee, the report mentions a “significant number of cases of tuberculosis infection”, coming from the city’s population of temporary and student residents.
It states: “The annual report on progress with the TB Action Plan for Scotland revealed a number of areas for improvement in this area of health protection work in Tayside, in particular around audit of contact tracing and targeting preventive and case finding work amongst higher risk populations.”
Similar reports produced for NHS Lothian and Greater Glasgow and Clyde do not mention the risk of tuberculosis from ‘temporary residents’ despite similarly large student populations and tourist traffic.
A spokesman for Dundee University said: “The university has a strong commitment to getting all of our international students registered with a health service.
“We bring medical practices on to the campus throughout Welcome Week and student inductions and messages are reinforced throughout the year.”
The university was unaware of any students being diagnosed with tuberculosis.
The report also lists “screening for contaminated (industrial) land” as a major health function, and mentions Dundee’s ongoing air quality problems.
It said: “Dundee’s large number of temporary residents includes students from across the UK and international locations.
“Infectious diseases common to other areas of the world can therefore present in temporary residents.
“A good example of this is the small but significant number of cases of tuberculosis infection that occur amongst temporary residents.”
The report recommends that NHS Tayside must prepare for the future, including specific goals.
They include becoming technologically smarter, particularly around surveillance.
Daniel Chandler, consultant in public health for NHS Tayside, said: “NHS Tayside has robust procedures in place and follows national guidance when dealing with infectious diseases and health protection issues, in conjunction with Health Protection Scotland advice.
“Our procedures and joint plans with local authority partners reflect our awareness and vigilance in relation to health protection issues, and our focus on protecting health in Tayside through addressing the needs of everyone living in the region, including temporary residents.”