KING COUNTY, WA - Today, Public Health - Seattle & King County released its 2000 Tuberculosis Report. Despite a slight increase in the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases last year, rates in the County have remained relatively steady during the last decade.

"Since TB is a preventable disease, we can reduce rates through hard work by Public Health and our partners in the health care community," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.

To view the complete Tuberculosis 2000 Annual Report, please visit: www.metrokc.gov/health/tb/tb2000.htm

Major findings in 2000 report

• Of the 127 TB cases, 68 (54%) were male and 59 (46%) were female.
• The majority of cases (79%) were born outside of the United States.
• Eight (6%) of the patients died.

King County has over 100 TB cases per year, which falls within the national average for its population. Antibiotics nearly always lead to a complete cure. Worldwide, however, TB kills about 3 million people each year, more than any other infectious disease.

"If we don't work on the global TB problem, there'll be a greater problem here in the United States," said Dr. Charles Nolan, Control Officer at Public Health's TB Clinic. "Locally and internationally, we're aiming to make advances in detection techniques, drugs that work in shorter time frames, and a vaccine."

For more information about TB and Public Health's TB Clinic, please visit www.metrokc.gov/health/tb