To investigate the epidemiological features and contributing factors of a clustered outbreak of pulmonary tuberculosis in a vocational school in Shenzhen in June 2025.
Key Findings:
Initial screening identified a 9.3% IGRA positivity rate and a 5.1% rate in subsequent screening.
Confirmed cases included 7 active TB cases and 42 latent infections.
The affected class had a significantly higher IGRA positivity rate of 62.2%.
WGS revealed a single clonal outbreak with minimal genetic variation among isolates.
Abnormal CXR rates were 2.4% in the first round and 1.1% in the second round.
Interpretation:
The outbreak was attributed to close contact, poor ventilation, delayed detection, and insufficient prevention measures, highlighting the need for improved TB control strategies in schools and their implications for public health policy.
Limitations:
The study was limited to a single vocational school, which may affect generalizability.
Potential underreporting of cases due to reliance on screening methods, impacting the study's conclusions.
Conclusion:
Enhanced syndromic surveillance, health education, environmental hygiene, and timely preventive treatment are essential for controlling TB outbreaks in educational settings, emphasizing the importance of timely detection and intervention.
