TB rampant at Palmerston North Boys High

Tests have revealed 91 students and staff at Palmerston North Boys High have been exposed to tuberculosis.

Mid Central Health spokesman Dennis Geddis said all 1800 students at the school were being tested after a Year 9 student was admitted to hospital with TB on August 16.

The results of a further 570 staff and student tests indicated that 91 of the group had been exposed to the bacteria and would require follow-up x-rays.

Last week, 53 of the student's close contacts were tested; 46 returned positive Mantoux skin tests.

However, none have been diagnosed with active TB disease.

Those who returned a positive test will be x-rayed and assessed by hospital specialists.