Tuberculosis (TB) Cases in Orange County Continue to Decrease
For
Immediate Release: March 24, 2008
Contact: Howard
Sutter (714) 834-2178
(Santa Ana) - Tuberculosis (TB) cases in
Orange County decreased 4% during 2007, with a total of 217 TB
cases reported during the last calendar year.
“The number of TB cases reported in Orange
County has decreased 27% in the last ten years, from 298 cases
in 1998 to 217 cases last year,” said Dr. Eric Handler, Orange
County Health Officer. “TB continues to be a significant public
health concern, and we must continue addressing TB control as a
public health priority to ensure that this trend continues.”
Orange County’s TB case rate remains just
below the statewide rate and Orange County is fourth among
California counties in the total number of new TB cases
reported, behind Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Clara
Counties. A continuing concern is the thousands of Orange County
residents who carry TB bacteria in their bodies but have not
become ill, which is known as latent TB infection.
March 24th is observed each year as World TB
Day. This year’s theme, I Am Stopping TB, recognizes the role of
individuals in protecting themselves and their families from
tuberculosis. In Orange County, the Health Care Agency’s Public
Health Services investigates reports of active TB cases,
provides treatment and control services for those with active TB
and provides treatment of latent TB infection for individuals
who are at increased risk of developing active TB disease.
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