University students left in the dark following recent tuberculosis case

Some students studying at the University of Auckland say they’re disappointed they weren’t made aware of a tuberculosis (TB) case on campus.

Francis Land, 19, says she didn’t know anything about the infectious student.

“I think it’s quite concerning being a university student . . . there should be a lot more awareness around it especially because TB can affect so many people.”

The infectious case attended three classes on campus, with around 25 students at each of them. These classes were the only ones notified about the infectious student via email.

TB is a highly infectious disease and infects hundreds of New Zealanders every year, with around 50 percent of the cases in Auckland.

Caitlin Ta’lefe, 20, says she wasn’t made aware of the case and is now worried about being on campus.

“I didn’t know much about it before . . . now I’m a bit scared to continue studying on campus . . . at least for a while.”

Ta’lefe says if it was a Covid-19 case, the university would have “shut down the campus for sure".

Respiratory disease tuberculosis, in comparison to COVID-19, is far more infectious and generates long-term negative health effects.

It is also said by many healthcare organisations to be deadlier than COVID-19 in the long-term as it has devastated communities for centuries.

Multiple students from University of Auckland and neighbouring Auckland University of Technology have made similar comments, saying the situation puts thousands of students and families at risk.

When a few students infected with COVID-19 attended campus earlier this year, all students from both the University of Auckland  and AUT were made to study from home to prevent further infection.

The university has decided against closing campus at this stage and has not yet responded to TWN inquiries.