DHSS Press Release – Delaware Health and Human Services

DPH celebrates World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24th

Dover, Delaware (March 21, 2024) – The Delaware Department of Public Health (DPH), in collaboration with health organizations and advocates around the world, is marking Sunday, March 24, as World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. This day is used to commemorate and raise awareness of Dr. Robert Koch's groundbreaking discovery of the tuberculosis bacterium. Increase education about the threat of tuberculosis.

DPH's Tuberculosis Elimination and Control Branch (TECB) is committed to our unwavering dedication to the fight against tuberculosis in our state and to the medical community and tuberculosis community across Delaware who work together to best serve our communities. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the clinic.

“Although tuberculosis is a preventable and treatable disease, it remains a major public health challenge.” Tara Jenkins, TECB Program Manager. “In 2022 alone, an estimated 1.3 million people worldwide died from tuberculosis, primarily due to inadequate access to testing and treatment. Focus on finding and fully treating tuberculosis cases.” It is important to take appropriate precautions and practice infection control if a case is identified and treat asymptomatic TB infection early to prevent progression to full-blown TB disease. ”

The Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (OIDE) is ready to provide information on tuberculosis infectious disease (TBI) or tuberculosis disease. OIDE facilitates access to DPH tuberculosis clinics, one in each county. These clinics provide comprehensive care for both traumatic brain injury and tuberculosis disease, including screening, diagnostic, and treatment services, often at minimal or no cost.

Rapid identification of suspected and confirmed cases of tuberculosis is critical to stopping the spread of tuberculosis. Additionally, connecting patients with TBI, also known as latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), to appropriate treatment is paramount to preventing the progression of TB disease. Without intervention, approximately 1 in 10 people with latent TB infection will develop active TB disease in the future. DPH is committed to ensuring strong collaboration between healthcare providers and all public health authorities in the continued pursuit of tuberculosis elimination.

“DPH remains committed to our continued efforts to fight tuberculosis.” Dr. Awere Maduka Eze, DPH Medical Director; “Together, we can make a difference in the lives of people affected by TB and build a healthier and safer future for everyone.”

For more information, visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/tbelimination.html.

The Delaware Department of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Human Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Commission on Public Health Accreditation for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. .

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or has a speech impairment can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using a specialized device (TTY, TeleBraille, voice device, etc.). Masu. 711 service is free. For more information on how it works, visit delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Human Services is committed to improving the quality of life for Delawareans by promoting health and well-being, promoting self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.