Officials sacked for tuberculosis outbreaks in Central China

CHANGSHA -- Six officials were removed from office Tuesday after more than 35 students were diagnosed with tuberculosis in Taojiang county, Central China's Hunan province.

The officials included heads of the county's health and family planning bureau, the education bureau, and the disease control and prevention center, according to the county government of Taojiang.

Meanwhile, the local government suggested the county's education work commission remove the principal of No.4 Middle School from his post.

The tuberculosis outbreak was reported at the No 4 Middle School of Taojiang in August. As of November 17, 29 students were diagnosed with tuberculosis, along with five other suspected cases.

Eight students from a vocational school have also been found with tuberculosis in the county since October.

The Taojiang government said it would treat the infected students at all costs and screen other students in the schools.

Authorities for discipline inspection in Taojiang are investigating whether there is a dereliction of duty or misconduct of more civil servants following the two outbreaks of tuberculosis.