Strong response brings decrease in TB cases in 2004, but challenges remain

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - After intensive effort to control a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in the homeless population in 2002 and 2003, TB cases were down in the homeless population and overall in King County during 2004, according to the new Seattle-King County 2004 Annual Tuberculosis Report.

To read the complete report, visit: www.metrokc.gov/health/tb/tbfacts.htm

“In the last few years Public Health and its partners have successfully engaged in an intensive effort to control the TB outbreak among the homeless,” said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director and Health Officer at Public Health - Seattle & King County. “We cannot let our guard down, however. Until we begin to see a significant decline of TB on a world-wide level, we’ll continue to see TB locally.”

Key points from the 2004 TB report include:

there were 133 new cases of tuberculosis countywide, down from 155 in 2003

the rate was 7.4 cases per 100,000 people, a decline from 8.7 in the previous year

in the last five years, there have been approximately 100 cases of TB each year among foreign-born residents

the number of antibiotic-resistant TB cases is relatively low

“TB is curable and preventable, but we face many on-going challenges in controlling TB,” said Dr. Masa Narita, TB Control Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. “We have approximately 100,000 people living in our county with dormant, latent TB infection who are not contagious, but are potentially future active TB cases. Additionally, many of those who are at high risk for TB may not have an ideal access to the health care system.”

Globally, one third of the world's population has TB infection, and two million people a year die of the disease.

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