Tuberculosis cases have increased in Tulare County this year, which inspired the county’s Health & Human Services Agency to issue a warning about the disease.
“Year to date, we’ve had 15 cases,” said Carrie Monteiro, HHSA public information officer. “That’s up from last year with 13 cases, and it’s significantly up from what we saw in 2022 with eight cases.”
She added that the number is not the result of a specific outbreak, “because we’ve had multiple cases from multiple areas of the county.”
Tuberculosis, also known as TB, is an airborne disease transmitted by inhaling the bacteria in the air around an infected person when that person coughs, speaks, sings or simply breathes. However, the disease is not transmitted by shaking someone’s hand, sharing food or drink, touching bed linens or toilet seats, sharing toothbrushes or kissing, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss,” said Tulare County Public Health Officer Dr. Asma Tariq.
“Most people who become infected after exposure to tuberculosis do not get sick right away,” she added. “This is called latent TB infection. Some who become infected with tuberculosis will become ill in the future, sometimes even years later, if their latent TB infection is not treated. For people who think they may have been exposed, blood tests and skin tests are an effective way to determine an infection.”
People with frequent and prolonged indoor exposure to someone with TB are advised to get tested. Others at a high risk of developing TB are those who have lived or traveled in countries with high TB rates.
“Consider all countries outside of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and those in Western and Northern Europe to have “elevated” TB rates,” Monteiro explained.
People most vulnerable to the disease are those with weakened immune systems, which includes those with HIV, diabetes, cancer or who are undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.
Pregnant individuals are at risk, as are infants and young children, the homeless, and older adults, especially those in long-term care facilities. Individuals who live or work in settings such as shelters, correctional facilities and health care facilities are also vulnerable.
TB is a treatable disease, but early screening and detection are the key to limiting health problems and preventing its spread.
“It is especially important for anyone who has been exposed to active TB, has risk factors, or is experiencing symptoms to contact their health care provider for screening and treatment options,” said Monteiro.
The California Department of Public Health Tuberculosis Control Branch has additional information, as does the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare County tuberculosis cases on the rise. Here’s what to know
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
