The nurse from Vaadhoo Island’s Health Centre reported to have contracted tuberculosis has passed away.

Thinadhoo Regional Hospital’s Media Coordinator Aminath Abdul Hakeem confirmed the news, adding the nurse was receiving treatment at the Hospital at the time of death.

Aminath said that it was likely that others who had worked with the nurse had contracted TB and had ordered all to get tested.

The deceased nurse was admitted in Thinadhoo Regional Hospital on Tuesday, last week, due to heavy coughing. She tested positive for TB on Wednesday and was being treated for it.

A statement released by Vaadhoo Health Center on Thursday, said an expatriate nurse had tested positive for the strain and was confirmed. The said nurse has been excluded from duties.

Tuberculosis -- or TB, as it’s commonly called -- is a contagious infection that usually attacks the lungs. It can also spread to other parts of the body, like the brain and spine.

The Center says that any individual who had been in contact with the nurse, including the residents in her home and patients who had sought treatment from the Center from six months back will be tested for the strain. The Center had appealed to all to immediately seek medical assistance, if symptoms are noted.