Public Health England (PHE) has confirmed that it is working with St Peter’s School following the confirmation of a case of tuberculosis.

According to PHE the individual receiving treatment is no longer infectious and the risk of others receiving the infection is low.

Dr Bernadette Nazareth, consultant in communicable disease control with the PHE East of England Health Protection Team, said: “TB is a serious disease but the risk of catching TB infection is very small. It requires prolonged and close contact with somebody who has TB, such as someone living in the same house, and it can be completely cured with a course of antibiotics.

“As a precaution, we have been working with local TB Service nurses and St Peter’s School to arrange screening for those who have had sufficient close contact the individual while infectious.

“We will continue to liaise closely with the TB Service and members of the school over the coming weeks to assess whether any further advice or action is necessary.”

It expected that pupils and staff who have come in contact with the individual will be screened at Hinchingbrooke Hospital tomorrow.

St Peter’s headteacher Christopher Bennett has assured parents and staff that there is “nothing to fear”.

“There is just one case at the school that the individual came back to St Peter’s in full health and nobody else in their family was infected,” said Mr Bennett.

“There is a very small minority of students and staff who are involved in the process and they have all be contacted, acting on the advice of Public Health England.”