A WORKER who had only been at Poole Hospital for two weeks is at the centre of a tuberculosis alert.

As reported in yesterday's Echo, screening for TB is now being carried out on 79 patients treated on one of the hospital wards between October 26 and November 8.

The alert was raised after the staff nurse, now on sick leave, was seen coughing.

One concerned nurse, who asked not to be identified, claimed the worker was allowed to continue working after testing positive for TB.

She added: "We have been told we are not at risk and won't be tested unless we start coughing."

She also claimed the staff nurse was one of 21 medical staff who joined the Poole team last month.

They are believed to originate from India - the country with the highest number of TB cases in the world. The hospital would neither confirm nor deny this.

But consultant test physician Dr John Millar said the worker was removed immediately it became apparent he might be suffering with TB.

"Staff are screened for TB before they are employed and given inoculations, so the risk of them contracting TB is very small," said Dr Millar. "

Staff will not be given additional screening or protection unless they develop symptoms.

Asked if the infected worker was one of the recent recruits from India Dr Millar said he could not comment but he confirmed that the previous health authority where the worker was employed had been told of the development.

An inquiry line has been set up for concerned patients to contact between 10am and 6pm until Friday on 01202 448008 or 448016.