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Cattle TB spreads among clubbers Cattle TB spreads among clubbers
(about 3 hours later)
Six clubbers have contracted bovine tuberculosis - one of them fatally - in an outbreak in Birmingham. Six people have contracted bovine tuberculosis in an outbreak in Birmingham which has killed one man.
The six people who contracted the strain are thought to have all picked it up at a bar and nightclub. Three of them are thought to have picked up the infection at a bar and nightclub while it is believed the others may have been friends.
Those who were affected all suffered from other diseases.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said measures were taken to halt the spread of the infection and there was no continuing public health risk.
The source of the outbreak is thought to have been a man who drank untreated, unpasteurised milk.The source of the outbreak is thought to have been a man who drank untreated, unpasteurised milk.
Those who were affected all had weakened immune systems from diseases such as diabetes or HIV. One man died in the outbreak.
DNA linkDNA link
The last case was reported in February this year and it is thought the outbreak is over, said BBC science correspondent David Gregory. The last case was reported in February this year and it is thought the outbreak is over, said BBC Midlands Today science and environment correspondent David Gregory.
The outbreak was first thought to be a blip in the TB figures because the rate of infection was twice the amount expected for cases of bovine tuberculosis. The outbreak was first thought to be a blip in the TB figures because the rate of infection was more than the amount of expected for cases of bovine tuberculosis.
The HPA investigation was launched after one case was reported in 2004, four in 2005 and one at the beginning of this year.
It said on average three cases a year are reported in the West Midlands.
DNA investigation showed all six cases were linked.DNA investigation showed all six cases were linked.
Dr David Hunt, from HPA West Midlands, said: "Each of these cases was thoroughly investigated at the time and all appropriate measures were taken to ensure that there would be no further spread of infection.
Drug-resistant
"The most recent case was in February of this year, so we have no reason to believe that there is a continuing public health risk."
News of the outbreak comes amid reports that drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis in eastern Europe and central Asia are putting EU states at risk of a deadly outbreak, according to health officials.News of the outbreak comes amid reports that drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis in eastern Europe and central Asia are putting EU states at risk of a deadly outbreak, according to health officials.
The Red Cross called it the most alarming tuberculosis situation since World War II and urged EU leaders to do more to combat the threat.The Red Cross called it the most alarming tuberculosis situation since World War II and urged EU leaders to do more to combat the threat.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the "hottest zones" of new strains were all on the borders of the EU.The World Health Organization (WHO) said the "hottest zones" of new strains were all on the borders of the EU.