Lithuanian conscripts to undergo tuberculosis test

Lithuanian army is to conduct tuberculosis (TB) tests for all its conscripts after two possible TB cases were found in the army and amid increasing concerns over the infectious disease in the country, the Lithuanian defense ministry announced on Friday.

Lithuanian army decided to carry out x-ray tests for all the conscripts offering mandatory military service.

"This additional test will be also conducted for all the young people who are planning to join the mandatory military service as well," the country's Defense Minister Juozas Olekas said, referring to the volunteers who have applied to join mandatory military service.

The army has immediately made the decision to prevent the spread of the disease among its soldiers.

One day earlier, two possible TB cases were registered when the conscripts who have applied to join professional military service accepted health examination, revealed the ministry. So far, Lithuanian army used to conduct TB tests only for professional soldiers.

After reintroducing mandatory military service last year, Lithuanian army now consists of professional soldiers and conscripts.

The team in which possibly infected soldiers have served was isolated, said the ministry.

In recent months, concerns have been increasingly growing in Lithuania over the spread of this infectious disease after 77 positive TB cases were registered at a school in northwestern Lithuania in March and amid media reports about new possible cases at schools. Endit