THREE students at a Hobart primary school have been found pricking each other with a syringe they found outside a doctor's surgery.

The Mercury understands the incident is the fourth in as many weeks involving students found with syringes, needles and other sharp objects, prompting fears about the dangers of bloodborne viruses and diseases.

In the most recent incident - late last week - the syringe was safely removed from the children and parents contacted immediately.

Public health director Roscoe Taylor said yesterday he was keen to work with the Department of Education to get safety messages directly to children and provide advice to parents about sharps dangers.

Dr Taylor praised the school's quick response.

"The Department of Education promptly followed agreed protocols when it became aware of an episode involving three children sharing a needle to prick themselves," he said.

"Parents were contacted and advised to see their general practitioner to discuss precautionary blood tests."

Dr Taylor said the risk of spreading a virus such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV would be extremely low in this particular incident.

Read more about schoolkids in needle prick scare at The Mercury.

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