Stanislaus County health officials stress early detection for tuberculosis for those at risk
World Tuberculosis Day, which was held Monday, is one of the more serious dates on the calendar.
Stanislaus County public health officials suggested that people more at risk of tuberculosis get tested, because early diagnosis is important. Tuberculosis kills an estimated 1.25 million people worldwide every year, said a county Health Services Agency news release Monday.
The infectious disease proves deadly for about 600 people in the United States annually and 200 residents in California.
The state recorded 2,100 new TB cases last year, while the Stanislaus County tally was 13 active cases, up from nine in 2023. The county ranked 31st among the 58 California counties for TB cases per 100,000 residents.
“The number of active TB cases is only the tip of the iceberg,” the news release said. “For every person with active TB disease, many more will have latent TB infection. People with latent infections do not have any current symptoms and are not infectious, but the infection can progress to active TB disease if not treated.”
A person with active infection in the lungs has a persistent cough and can spread the disease to others nearby.
People with latent TB infection are asymptomatic and are not infectious, but if left untreated, the infection may become active. Treatment for a latent infection is effective 90% of the time, the county news release said.
“World TB Day serves as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance against TB,” said Dr. Thea Papasozomenos, county public health officer. “Testing and treatment for (latent infection) are vitally important for TB control as most active TB disease cases could have been prevented with testing and treatment.”
According to estimates, more than 2 million California residents are infected with the tuberculosis bacterium. About 20% are aware of that from testing but only 13% have received treatment, the county news release said.
The California Department of Public Health said that people more vulnerable to TB infection were born in countries with a high incidence in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The risk goes up if they spent at least 30 days in those countries or often traveled to countries where TB is known spread.
County officials said people can check with their health care provider about testing. A California law, effective Jan. 1, seeks to improve TB prevention by requiring primary care providers to offer screening to people with risk factors.
Those taking medication for latent TB infection or active disease should make sure to complete the course of treatment, so drug resistance is prevented.
Papasozomenos said people with latent TB usually do not ask for testing. More information on the disease is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tuberculosis education page.
