Tuberculosis Patients Increasing 5% in the U.S.

Think Test Treat TB says the U.S. CDC
TB trend data 2022
U.S. CDC Tuberculosis data March 23, 2023
Atlanta (Precision Vaccinations News)

New Tuberculosis (TB) incidence data released today by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that TB cases increased by 5% in 2022, impacting about 8,300 patients.

The states of California (1,843) and Texas (1,089) reported the most TB patients last year, led by Dallas and Houston.

Furthermore, the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, announced on March 23, 2023, calls healthcare providers and communities to 'Think. Test. Treat TB', as the bacteria responsible for causing TB can live in the body for years without symptoms.

For example, children aged four are particularly concerned because they usually result from recent transmission versus reactivation of long-standing latent TB infection.

And people from ethnic groups underscore the importance of increasing TB prevention services.

Philip LoBue, M.D., FACP, FCCP, Director of CDC's Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, stated in a press release on March 23, 2023, "The message is loud and clear – TB is still here."

"For the second year in a row, TB disease cases in the U.S. have continued to rise, with concerning increases among young children and other groups at increased risk for TB disease."

"Communities, providers, and public health partners must work together to ensure we are reaching the right people with testing and treatment to prevent and stop the spread of TB."

To eliminate TB in the United States, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends testing and treatment among populations at higher risk, including non–U.S.-born persons and persons in congregate living settings.

To treat certain TB cases, the CDC recommends short-course (3- or 4-month), rifamycin-based regimens to improve treatment adherence.

To prevent TB, the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is often given to children where TB is common, says the CDC.

According to the CDC, the BCG vaccine is not widely used in the United States.

BCG is only considered for people who meet specific criteria, such as children with negative TB tests, and cannot be separated from contagious adults.

Globally, several versions of the BCG vaccine are authorized to prevent TB and bladder cancer.

Note: The findings in this CDC report are subject to at least two limitations. First, this analysis and case counts are based on provisional 2022 TB surveillance data and might change. Second, rates are calculated with population estimates subject to future refinement.

Our Trust Standards: Medical Advisory Committee

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Article by
Donald Hackett