
Hull expert sounds warning over rise in tuberculosis cases
A disease specialist has sounded a warning over a rise in cases of tuberculosis.Dr Patrick Lillie, consultant in infectious disease at NHS Humber Health Partnership, said London and the West Midlands had already seeing a spike in cases, but the risk elsewhere had increased, too.According to the NHS, there was a 13% rise of TB cases in England last year, with homeless people or those with drug or alcohol addictions most at risk.TB, which mainly affects the lungs, can be spread by coughing or sneezing.
Dr Lillie said: "London and the West Midlands are already seeing an increase in cases, but because TB is linked to deprivation and social issues such as drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness or close living in poor-quality housing, it's possible that other cities, including Hull, could see more cases, too."TB is a really serious infection so it's important that anyone showing symptoms of TB gets tested and, if confirmed, receives treatment quickly to give them the best chance of recovery."The UK Health Security Agency said Yorkshire and the Humber saw an annual 18.2% increase in the number of people diagnosed with TB in 2024.
TB can impact lymph nodes, bones and the brain, causing meningitis.Symptoms include a cough lasting more than three weeks, a high temperature or drenching night sweats, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss and feeling tired or exhausted.Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Rhyl Journal
33 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Hospitals could run GP surgeries under NHS reforms
Wes Streeting said the forthcoming 10 year health plan would also see 'much of what's done in a hospital today, will be done on the high street'. But he stressed the Government was 'not embarking on another top-down reorganisation' of the health service. The plan is expected to be published in July. Speaking at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester, Mr Streeting said: 'The NHS should not be bound by traditional expectations of how services should be arranged. Nearly a quarter of a million off NHS waiting lists. Lowest level in two years. And the first time they've fallen in April in 17 years! Lots done, lots to do. We're delivering our Plan for Change. I won't rest until the job is done. — Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 12, 2025 'I am open to our strongest acute trusts providing not just community services, as many already do, but also primary care. 'Whatever services will enable them to meet the needs of their patients in a more integrated and efficient way. 'Indeed, I would hope that those old-fashioned labels – acute, community – become increasingly meaningless. 'Likewise, there is no reason why successful GPs should not be able to run local hospitals, or why nurses should not be leading neighbourhood health services.' Mr Streeting talked about the 'jeopardy' facing the NHS, adding: 'Just as public satisfaction has plunged to its lowest level on record, major political parties have begun to question the very existence of a publicly funded universal healthcare system free at the point of need. 'And I can almost feel them willing us on to fail, because if all of us fail in our mission to turn the NHS around, the vultures on the populist rivals swoop in for the kill. 'The NHS is in a fight for its life but nothing I have experienced in my first 11 months in office have shaken my conviction or confidence that this is a fight we will win.' Meanwhile he spoke about the spending review, likening himself to the survivor in the popular book series, The Hunger Games. 'Yesterday's spending review was a vital moment on that journey,' he said. 'There have been broadly two sorts of reactions to this. The first, mainly from the media and the public – '£29 billion is a hell of a lot of money'; the second, mainly from our think tank friends – '£29 billion is nowhere near enough'. The truth is, both are right. 'It is objectively a substantial funding settlement that puts wind in our sails. But investment alone isn't enough. 'There is no fix to the NHS's problems that simply pours more money into a broken system. 'It is only through the combination of investment and reform that we will succeed in getting the NHS back on its feet and making make it fit for the future.' He told delegates at the conference: 'Despite my best efforts at the Cabinet yesterday morning before the spending review announcement, to put the blame on John Healey the Defence Secretary for the squeeze on other government departments, none of my colleagues were buying. 'In fact, one permanent secretary once referred to me as the Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games. 'We're a Labour Government – the NHS is all of our priorities, and there isn't a single person sat with me around the Cabinet table who doesn't value what you're doing, doesn't underestimate the scale of the task that we have ahead of us, and they are all rooting for us to succeed, every single one of them.' Commenting on the speech, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'The Secretary of State is right that the divides between acute, primary, community are already being broken down, supported by the work of integrated care boards. 'Redesigning services is essential to the future of the NHS and many providers are already breaking down their traditional silos to offer patients truly personalised and integrated care.' He added: 'The extra funding announced at the spending review is very welcome and, as Mr Streeting says, it is both a lot of money and not enough. 'Many of our members have warned they will not hit the interim target, with only one in two confident they will achieve the 65% elective care interim target by March 2026. 'That is why redesigning services is so essential – the combination of investment and reform – so that we can achieve the Government's three ambitions.'


Daily Mirror
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
'My baby died after being kissed - please think twice'
Hailey Riches, 25, is urging people to be aware of the dangers of herpes in newborns after her daughter Violet-May Constantinou died after contracting the virus A devastated mum is issuing a stark warning against kissing newborns following the tragic loss of her daughter to a viral infection. Hailey Riches, 25, sensed something was amiss with Violet-May Constantinou when she refused to feed and developed a yellowish skin tone. As Violet's condition began to deteriorate, Hailey was advised to rush her to hospital. At just eight days old, a series of tests revealed that Violet had contracted neonatal herpes (HSV-1) - a severe infection in newborns caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Violet was promptly administered anti-viral medication, but her health rapidly declined, leading to seizures. She was subsequently transferred to Southampton Hospital for intensive care. Medical professionals observed that the newborn was suffering from acute liver failure. Despite being placed on the highest priority list for a liver transplant in the UK, Violet tragically passed away at one month old while still awaiting the procedure. Doctors informed heartbroken parents Hailey and Dimitri Constantinou, 30, that they would never be able to pinpoint the source of the herpes. Hailey and her fiancé have since pledged to raise awareness, urging individuals with cold sores or those susceptible to the virus to steer clear of newborn babies. Hailey said: "I do see it online many times people saying 'but why can't we kiss a baby?' when it is not their baby - it frustrates me because of having gone through this situation. "This is why you have to be slightly protective and be aware. If you have got a cold sore don't go near a baby because it is deadly and can kill them. "This is not to scare new mums or pregnant women. It is to say if you are not feeling right in yourself and if the baby is not feeling right then to be persistent and get it checked." Hailey shared her own confusion regarding the source of infection: "I don't have genital herpes, none of my family or myself had a cold sore outbreak. They said it is most likely from an outsource, but they are not sure who. Highlighting the risks of unwitting transmission, she added: "Anyone can spread the virus without even knowing. Even if you have got no symptoms you might still pass it on." The NHS speciality coordinator recounted her experience, stating that she went through a "normal" pregnancy before undergoing an emergency caesarean on March 22, 2023. Upon their return home with the newborn seemingly in good health, Hailey noticed worrying signs such as diminished feeding, tired looks, and jaundice. She followed up and took Violet back to Worthing Hospital upon a health visitor's advice where the baby was examined for jaundice. After being briefly sent home, the situation deteriorated when Violet, only eight days old and struggling to feed, was discovered to have a fever by medical staff on their subsequent hospital visit. Mum Hailey was hospitalised with sepsis, sparking tests that uncovered her newborn Violet's grave infection – neonatal herpes (HSV-1), attributed to the herpes simplex virus. This virus can be passed along before, during, or post-delivery. HSV-1 typically transmits through oral interactions, such as kissing, and by sharing drinks or utensils, potentially leading to cold sores around the mouth. Violet started anti-viral treatment immediately, yet her health nosedived, causing her to suffer seizures. She was then rushed to intensive care at Southampton Hospital on April 1. Hailey, from Billingshurst in Sussex, said: "The doctors said that we will be lucky to see her survive the next 24 to 48 hours. She was deteriorating further and then they decided to flew her by helicopter to King's College Hospital in London because they realised she was having acute liver failure." Hailey opened up about the ordeal, saying: "It was absolutely traumatising. The worst time of our family's life - I don't think our family has ever gone through such a traumatic time. "Every day something was happening and she was deteriorating further - it affected her brain, her lungs, she then had a cardiac arrest at one point where we watched her being resuscitated for nine minutes. It just got worse and worse and it was time to say goodbye at the end." On August 16, 2024, Hailey and her fiancé were overjoyed to welcome their daughter Lily into the world. However, Hayley confessed that she was "terrified" during the initial months after giving birth due to her previous experience with Violet. She explained: "I had consultants telling me the first six weeks are crucial to protect her because they have no immune system. I had always said to people no kissing, wash your hands when you come in or if you want to hold her. We were very protective because of the situation we went through" Hailey added: "Thank you to Southampton General Hospital, the Pediatric Unit and Ronald McDonald charity who accommodated us in Southampton and London during these tragic times. ".

Western Telegraph
35 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Hospitals could run GP surgeries under NHS reforms
Wes Streeting said the forthcoming 10 year health plan would also see 'much of what's done in a hospital today, will be done on the high street'. But he stressed the Government was 'not embarking on another top-down reorganisation' of the health service. The plan is expected to be published in July. Speaking at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester, Mr Streeting said: 'The NHS should not be bound by traditional expectations of how services should be arranged. Nearly a quarter of a million off NHS waiting lists. Lowest level in two years. And the first time they've fallen in April in 17 years! Lots done, lots to do. We're delivering our Plan for Change. I won't rest until the job is done. — Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 12, 2025 'I am open to our strongest acute trusts providing not just community services, as many already do, but also primary care. 'Whatever services will enable them to meet the needs of their patients in a more integrated and efficient way. 'Indeed, I would hope that those old-fashioned labels – acute, community – become increasingly meaningless. 'Likewise, there is no reason why successful GPs should not be able to run local hospitals, or why nurses should not be leading neighbourhood health services.' Mr Streeting talked about the 'jeopardy' facing the NHS, adding: 'Just as public satisfaction has plunged to its lowest level on record, major political parties have begun to question the very existence of a publicly funded universal healthcare system free at the point of need. 'And I can almost feel them willing us on to fail, because if all of us fail in our mission to turn the NHS around, the vultures on the populist rivals swoop in for the kill. 'The NHS is in a fight for its life but nothing I have experienced in my first 11 months in office have shaken my conviction or confidence that this is a fight we will win.' Meanwhile he spoke about the spending review, likening himself to the survivor in the popular book series, The Hunger Games. 'Yesterday's spending review was a vital moment on that journey,' he said. 'There have been broadly two sorts of reactions to this. The first, mainly from the media and the public – '£29 billion is a hell of a lot of money'; the second, mainly from our think tank friends – '£29 billion is nowhere near enough'. The truth is, both are right. 'It is objectively a substantial funding settlement that puts wind in our sails. But investment alone isn't enough. 'There is no fix to the NHS's problems that simply pours more money into a broken system. 'It is only through the combination of investment and reform that we will succeed in getting the NHS back on its feet and making make it fit for the future.' He told delegates at the conference: 'Despite my best efforts at the Cabinet yesterday morning before the spending review announcement, to put the blame on John Healey the Defence Secretary for the squeeze on other government departments, none of my colleagues were buying. 'In fact, one permanent secretary once referred to me as the Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games. 'We're a Labour Government – the NHS is all of our priorities, and there isn't a single person sat with me around the Cabinet table who doesn't value what you're doing, doesn't underestimate the scale of the task that we have ahead of us, and they are all rooting for us to succeed, every single one of them.' Commenting on the speech, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'The Secretary of State is right that the divides between acute, primary, community are already being broken down, supported by the work of integrated care boards. 'Redesigning services is essential to the future of the NHS and many providers are already breaking down their traditional silos to offer patients truly personalised and integrated care.' He added: 'The extra funding announced at the spending review is very welcome and, as Mr Streeting says, it is both a lot of money and not enough. 'Many of our members have warned they will not hit the interim target, with only one in two confident they will achieve the 65% elective care interim target by March 2026. 'That is why redesigning services is so essential – the combination of investment and reform – so that we can achieve the Government's three ambitions.'