March 22, 2024
For immediate release
Observed by DuPage County Health Department World Tuberculosis Day: Yes! We can end TB
dupage county – In commemoration of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is working with national and international partners to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment.
In 2023, 41 active tuberculosis cases were reported among DuPage County residents. Over the years, the number of tuberculosis cases in DuPage County has fluctuated from 23 in 2011 to a high of 50 in 2018. One of DCHD's primary responsibilities as the local health department is the prevention and control of infectious diseases, including: T.B. DCHD staff work closely with healthcare providers and patients to rapidly identify and treat new TB cases in the community.
Tuberculosis is a contagious and potentially life-threatening disease that is spread through the air when people with active tuberculosis cough, sneeze, talk, or sing. People with tuberculosis are most likely to transmit the tuberculosis bacterium to people they interact with regularly, such as family members and co-workers.
The good news is that tuberculosis is preventable, treatable, and curable. Preventive measures include diagnosing and treating patients with active TB disease and identifying and treating patients with latent TB infection who, if left untreated, are at risk of developing active TB disease.
People with latent TB infection are not contagious and cannot spread TB infection to others. However, without treatment, approximately 5-10% of infected people will develop tuberculosis disease at some point during their lifetime, and half of these will develop within the first 2 years after infection. People with a weakened immune system, especially those with HIV infection, are at significantly higher risk of developing tuberculosis than people with a normal immune system. Treating latent tuberculosis infection is effective in preventing tuberculosis disease.
DCHD's tuberculosis clinic is open to county residents. Services, including testing, diagnosis, and treatment for tuberculosis infection and disease, are available by appointment only and walk-ins are not accepted. To make a reservation, call (630) 682-7400. For more information, please visit https://www.dupagehealth.org/326/Tuberculosis.
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