MORE than a hundred people are to be screened for tuberculosis at a North-East university.

The precautionary measure follows confirmation that someone at Teesside University is being treated for the infectious form of TB.

Health officials say that the likelihood of more cases of the disease is probably low, but that more than a hundred people will be tested for signs that they have been exposed to the once-feared lung ailment.

Officials at the university have declined to say whether the TB victim is a member of the 20,000 student population, or one of the approximately 2,000 members of staff.

But a spokesman said they had already contacted those who have been in close contact with the confirmed case, and had been given the advice and information about TB.

The spokesman said: "A member of the university community is being treated for pulmonary tuberculosis, and the university wishes them a speedy recovery.

"Although this is an infectious disease, it is very difficult to catch and responds well to treatment.

"It can only be caught by prolonged close contact with the person concerned and is easily treated with medication."

Staff and students across the university campus have been warned to look out for symptoms and to seek medical advice if necessary.

The spokesman said signs and symptoms to be aware of include a cough that lasts for a few weeks, blood in phlegm or spit, fever and sweating at night, unintentional weight loss and/or loss of appetite.

Dr Ian Holtby, consultant in communicable disease for County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority, said: "TB can occur in any part of the body, but it is only infectious if it occurs in the lungs, which means it can then be coughed up and inhaled by others."

However, Dr Holtby stressed that someone would need considerable exposure to an infectious pulmonary TB case to have any chance of becoming infected.