Emma Thompson backs new TB specialist center

Emma Thompson (Sybill Trelawney) has backed the opening of a new specialist clinic designed to treat tuberculosis (TB). The actress revealed that her adoptive son, Tindy, was treated for TB, as she warned about the “alarming rise” in cases of the disease in London.

Tindy Agaba, a former refugee from Rwanda, was diagnosed three years ago after returning from a trip to Liberia. The Oscar-winning actress and her husband Greg Wise adopted Mr. Agaba after his father died of AIDS and his mother and sister were listed as missing in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Thompson has urged people to openly talk about the disease and be on the lookout for early signs. Speaking at the launch of the new specialist clinic in North London this week, she said,

Its important people talk about TB, understand how it can be contracted and how to spot the signs early.

Her plea comes as figures reveal that London has the highest rate in the UK of people taken to the hospital with the condition. There were 5.3 admissions per 100,000 people in the year to April 2014, according to the Health and Social Care Information Centre.

A spokesman for University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which is helping run the center, said,

Emma confirmed her son, Tindy, had TB three years ago. He came to the opening and told people he was diagnosed after returning from a trip to Liberia. He received six months of treatment at UCLH and is now completely clear.