Grenadian health authorities have been forced to fend off fresh reports about a possible tuberculosis outbreak among inmates at the Richmond Hill Prison in St. George's. Health Minister Senator Ann David Antoine has dismissed reports by a social worker that a prisoner was being treated for tuberculosis (TB). She said the social worker had made a mistake and read a signed statement from the inmate, which stated he was on medication for a broken arm, swelling and lumps on both feet due to poor blood circulation. A confidential social inquiry report requested by the court had quoted the prisoner stating he received treatment for TB and was consuming 12 tablets a day. Opposition Senator George Prime read the leaked confidential report during a sitting of the Senate last week. Lawyers and court officers confirmed that a number of prisoners in recent times had told the court that they were receiving treatment for TB, a contagious medical condition which affects the respiratory system. Last October, health authorities sought to dispel reports of a TB outbreak at the prison after the Bar Association, in a letter to the health minister, said it was informed that more than 20 prisoners had tested positive for the condition. Reprinted from radioja.com