Health Care Providers
Communicable Diseases, Epidemiology and Immunization
May 25, 2007
Health Advisory: Tuberculosis Outbreak in the Puget Sound Region Marshallese Community
Action requested:
- Consider tuberculosis when a person from the Marshall Islands has compatible symptoms.
- Report suspected cases of tuberculosis to the Public Health Tuberculosis Control Program at 206-731-4579 immediately.
- Consider evaluating persons from the Marshall Islands for latent TB infection and initiate treatment for latent TB if appropriate. (The Public Health TB Control Program provides services only for persons with active TB and their close contacts).
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Background:
Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Tuberculosis Control Program is currently investigating a TB outbreak in the Marshallese community in King County. Seven suspected or confirmed cases of TB among families from the Marshall Islands have been diagnosed in the Puget Sound region since February 2007 (5 in King county and 2 in Snohomish County). The King County index case is an adult diagnosed in early April 2007 with cavitary pulmonary TB and 4+ AFB in sputum smears. Following his diagnosis, a child in a separate household where the index case had spent considerable time was diagnosed with suspected pulmonary TB. Three additional adult cases of active tuberculosis have been diagnosed in the last week. The Public Health TB Control Program is currently evaluating close contacts of the index case, as well as discussing outreach within the larger Marshallese community. Temporary stays with friends and relatives are a common practice in this community, so close contacts may extend beyond the immediate family.
Resources:
Public Health TB Control Program - information for health care providers
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