The family of a young Belfast schoolboy who was left fighting for his life after contracting tuberculosis (TB) have told of how they believe he could have been saved the trauma had he been screened following a previous outbreak at his school.
The five-year-old, who is a Primary 1 pupil at St Matthew's Primary School in east Belfast, ended up on a life support machine and was given just a 50/50 chance of survival, after doctors found he had TB Meningitis.
The young boy's family, who do not want him named, said he has been suffering from ill health ever since there was a previous TB case at his school.
In March 2020, a child in St Matthew's was diagnosed with TB and letters were sent home to parents informing them of a "low infection risk" and screening would be offered to "a small group of children on a precautionary basis".
At the time, the family of the second child, who is currently in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, were told he had "not been identified in this group and it is not necessary to offer screening to your child at present".
Paul Callaghan, who's nephew is the child currently being treated for TB Meningitis, said since the first case, the five-year-old has suffered regularly with ill health including chest infections, has been on numerous doses of antibiotics, and also developed a limp which was diagnosed as arthritis.
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He was diagnosed with TB Meningitis on May 14 and was made public by the PNA last week.
While his condition has improved following an period in intensive care, doctors have told his family that he will remain in hospital for the next eight weeks and will have to undergo a year of treatment after he is discharged.
Mr Callaghan said the family are "really angry" as they believe the traumatic ordeal could have been prevented.
The Short Strand man questioned why more children at the school are to be screened this time around.
"If that protocol had been done last year this child would not have suffered," he said.
"For a full year he just hasn't been himself at all. His mother knew from day one something was wrong and had him at the doctors numerous times. She mentioned the TB, that someone in his class had it. She was told he had no symptoms".
Mr Callaghan said the family's experience had been "absolutely horrendous".
"He was left at death's door," he said.
"They just said `We have to inform you this could be 50/50. He might not come out of it'.
"It was that grave. He just got to the hospital at the right time.
"His family were told that it has yet to be confirmed that it's been in his system from last year but his medical history throughout the year throws it back to that".
The east Belfast man, who revealed that doctors are looking at whether the issue with the youngster's leg could be TB in the bone, said the five-year-old's parents have been left "devastated".
"It has just drained them," he said.
"They are now becoming more angry when they realise it could have been prevented.
"We are all just so thankful to the staff who have been treating my nephew and helping him. They are doing an amazing job."
Mr Callaghan said the family was also angry that it took the Public Health Agency (PHA) one week to send out a letter to parents of pupils at the school to inform them of the second TB case.
He said the young boy's mother pushed for the letter to be sent earlier than planned as she "doesn't want another parent to go through (this) and the outcome being worse than hers".
"She just wants an assurances that there are procedures in place," he said.
The PHA said screening following the first case was "offered to individuals based on a risk assessment in relation to a single person in the class with TB, as per standard guidance".
In relation to the second case, a PHA spokeswoman said: "Following the identification of another child with TB, a further risk assessment has been conducted by the PHA and Belfast Trust in consultation with the school, and screening is being offered to a wider number of pupils because of the new circumstances. Again, this is in line with standard national guidance".
The spokeswoman added: "The PHA was undertaking thorough assessment and preparation before communicating with parents to ensure all facts were known and to help avoid unnecessary uncertainty or concern.
"However, as the case became public knowledge, information was issued on Friday by the agency given the potential for concern.
"A thorough risk assessment was completed following notification of the case to PHA, and this has informed the steps that are being taken and the timings".
