Gwent Health Authority has not ruled out widening the screening programme to include people living near the school.

The key thing is that people are not frightened off and that they do come forward

Dr Dyfed Huws, Gwent Health Authority

Around 250 pupils are being tested each day, along with the families of those infected.

There are fears that more cases will emerge, but staff hope the screening will ensure that the cluster of cases already identified has not spread any further.

Attendence at the school was reportedly above normal for a return from half-term on Monday, according to headmaster David Snashall.

TB under the microscope

A leading expert on TB has issued a fresh plea parents not to keep their children away.

Dr Ian Campbell, from Llandough Hospital in south Wales, said parents should not panic.

The doctor - who is chairman of the Joint UK TB Committee - has said the risk of catching the disease is very low.

And he has urged Welsh health authorities to check incomers from poorer parts of the world - and to re-start the full BCG vaccination programme for young people.

Dr Dyfed Huws: 'People must not be frightened'

The Newport outbreak was discovered when school children in Year 10 were screened after a pupil contracted the disease at the end of March.

Seven new cases of TB among Year Ten pupils aged 14 or 15 were confirmed on Friday.

Welsh Health Minister Jane Hutt has pledged that a TB immunisation programme is to be speeded up.

Tuberculosis facts

Transmitted in same way as flu Symptoms include coughs, fatigue, weight loss and coughing up of blood Can lead to chest infections, breathing problems and death Can be treated with drugs BCG cannot prevent tuberculosis of the lung

"The TB immunisation programme is being resumed in Wales and a catch-up programme will be introduced, with those due to leave school this summer being vaccinated first," Ms Hutt said.

The source of the outbreak is still being investigated.

Health officials have so far found no link between the Newport cases and the outbreak in a school in Leicester where there are more than 50 cases of TB.

'No Leicester links'

Mr Snashall said: "We want to reassure people that this screening is a precautionary measure.

"The chances of cross infection now are extremely low."

Dr Dyfed Huws from Gwent Health Authority said: "As far as we know there are no links to Leicester."

"TB is an illness which can be successfully and effectively treated with antibiotics."

Health Minister Jane Hutt: Immunisation programme to be speeded up

Commenting on the outbreak, Dr Peter Ormerod, a TB expert from the British Thoracic Society, said small clusters had always existed.

Eighteen more pupils were diagnosed with TB at Crown Hills Community College in Leicester early last week, bringing the total to more than 50.

Some 40 students have also shown early signs of the disease and have been put on antibiotics.