The Hanseatic City of Lübeck on 9 November 2026 the results of the contact-tracing investigation following a tuberculosis case at Johannes Prassek School have been published. According to the health authority, none of the schoolchildren tested had a positive result. Several adult contacts, however, showed signs of infection and are now undergoing further tests.
The investigations were prompted by a case identified during the summer holidays identified index case. The public health department identified and tested the relevant contacts in accordance with infection control guidelines. The aim of the contact investigation is to detect any further infections early and, where necessary, begin treatment. According to the city’s assessment, there is no evidence that any of the children have an active infection. Further medical measures and follow-up examinations are planned for the adults concerned; the city is not providing more detailed personal information for data protection reasons.
The public health department stresses that Tuberculosis is usually transmitted through prolonged close contact. In schools, contact groups are therefore defined narrowly and checked in stages. The approach in Lübeck followed the standard procedure for notifiable diseases: contacts are identified, informed and tested, with follow-up examinations carried out if necessary. The Hanseatic City of Lübeck also points to its tuberculosis advice service, which provides institutions and those affected with guidance on what to do next.
According to the city, more than a hundred contacts were examined. The findings in adults require follow-up checks by the authorities to distinguish between signs of a past, latent infection and indications of possible active disease. The city says it will provide information on follow-up findings when they become available. The school management said it was involved in the process and had kept parents informed throughout about the procedure being followed by the public health department.
The authorities’ advice to parents and staff is that anyone with a persistent cough, fever or unexplained weight loss should seek medical advice and contact the public health department. Based on its current assessment, the city sees no reason to impose further restrictions on operations at Johannes-Prassek-Schule beyond the measures already ordered. Publication of the results is intended to ensure transparency for the school and the public, and brings the first round of contact investigations in Lübeck to a close.
Editor: Clara Simonichek (Article created with AI assistance).