Seven officials sacked over tuberculosis outbreak in central China
Thirty-seven students infected with the deadly bacterial disease in Hunan
Seven health and education officials were removed from their posts in central Hunan province on Tuesday over their handling of an outbreak of tuberculosis, according to state media.
Some 29 high school and eight vocational school students in Taojiang county were recently confirmed to be infected with the deadly bacterial disease. They were still being treated in hospital, People’s Daily reported on Tuesday.
A further 40 students were taking preventive medication because of their high exposure risk.
The county officials were held responsible for the outbreak after an investigation by the central government and provincial health authorities, according to the report.
Those removed from their posts were the health and education chiefs and their deputies, the local disease control centre director and the presidents of the two schools involved.