FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 24, 2022

LAS VEGAS — In the United States, many believe tuberculosis (TB) is a far-off or eradicated illness. While rates of TB have declined, it still exists. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 7,000 cases were reported in the United States in 2020. In Clark County, the Southern Nevada Health District confirmed 51 cases in 2020. Globally, approximately 10 million people develop TB each year. World TB Day is observed each year on March 24 to recognize that too many people still suffer from the disease and to emphasize the need to continue to find and treat those with TB.

According to the CDC, globally, as many as 13 million people are living with latent TB infection (LTBI). People with LTBI don’t have symptoms, don’t feel sick, and can’t spread TB bacteria to others. Providing treatment to people with LTBI is important to prevent progression of the disease and to turn TB elimination into a reality.

In 2020, the overall incidence of TB in the United States was 2.2 cases per 100,000 people. Although the incidence rate has decreased, the United States has yet to meet the CDC’s Division of Tuberculosis Elimination program’s 2025 target of fewer than 1.3 cases per 100,000 people.

“World TB Day always provides us with an opportunity to remind people that TB is not eradicated and that people in Clark County are diagnosed with it each year. The good news is that there is effective medication to treat TB,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “Our contact investigations typically begin with a single active TB case and move forward. While case rates continue to decline across the country, we must continue to remain vigilant against the disease. World TB Day is an opportunity to remind our health care providers to consider TB when a patient comes in with respiratory symptoms that last two weeks or longer. This is how we are able to keep our case counts in check.”

As the leading provider of TB services in Southern Nevada, the Health District’s Tuberculosis Treatment and Control Clinic offers services to ensure people with active TB disease are treated and that people who are exposed to TB are evaluated and treated, if appropriate, to prevent the further spread of the disease. In addition to testing and treatment, staff members provide specialized case management services to assure that patients with active and suspect TB disease receive individualized patient care. Directly observed therapy (DOT) is the standard of care to promote adherence to and completion of TB treatment, and it is offered to active and suspect TB patients.

For more information about TB and its impact on patients, the CDC has posted TB Personal Stories as well as Basic TB Facts on its website.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.