Heads roll after tuberculosis outbreaks in central China

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Six officials in central China's Hunan Province were removed from office this week following outbreaks of tuberculosis at a middle school and training college in Taojiang County.

The sacked officials included heads of the county's health and family planning bureau, the education bureau, and the disease control and prevention center, according to the county government of Taojiang.

Meanwhile, the local government suggested the county's education work commission remove the principal of No.4 Middle School from his post.

The tuberculosis outbreak was reported at the No.4 Middle School of Taojiang in August.

As of November 17, 29 students had been diagnosed with tuberculosis – which is highly infectious – along with five other suspected cases.

Eight students from a vocational school have also been found with tuberculosis in the county since October.

The local government said it would treat the infected students at all costs and screen other students in the schools.

Authorities for discipline inspection in Taojiang are investigating whether there is a dereliction of duty or misconduct of more civil servants following the two outbreaks of tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 killers worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

After India, China is the country most affected with an estimated 1 million new cases every year.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency