PARENTS have been put on alert following a suspected Tuberculosis case at a Kent school.

Year nine pupils at St Simon Stock School in Maidstone will be screened for the disease in early November after a fellow pupil suffered from TB-related symptoms.

Kent Health Protection Unit has written to parents of children at the school to tell them that a pupil there probably has pulmonary tuberculosis of the lung, which is often called consumption. Tests are currently underway to confirm the diagnosis.

As a precautionary measure a screening programme is being organised at the school for Year 9 students and staff who may have had prolonged close contact with the child. It will take place on Tuesday, November 1 at the school.

Symptoms of pulmonary TB include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight, night sweats and a persistent cough. Phlegm coughed up may be streaked with blood.

Dr Mathi Chandrakumar, director of the Kent HPU, which is part of the national Health Protection Agency, said parents should not panic. "There is no need for undue anxiety," he said.

"The risk of transmission of TB is very low. For example, when we had a case of TB in a school teacher in Kent, over 500 contacts were screened and not one of them was found to have TB. "

NHS Direct on 0845 4647 can give advice to anyone concerned about the disease.