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Tuberculosis in Washington
State
Washington experienced a slight increase in the
number of TB cases with 262 cases reported in 2006 vs. 291
cases reported in 2007. The crude incidence rate of TB also
increased for the third straight year (4.1/100,000 in 2006
vs. 4.4/100,000 in 2007). Sixteen of the 39 counties
in Washington reported no new cases of TB in 2007 and 13
reported five or fewer cases. Ten counties reported greater
than five TB cases. Seventy-five percent of the 2007
tuberculosis cases in Washington were among foreignborn
immigrants or refugees from counties with high rates of
tuberculosis; Vietnam, Mexico, the Philippines, or Ethiopia.
The proportion of foreign-born cases continues to rise in
Washington (73% in 2006 vs. 75% in 2007).
Most TB cases among foreign-born people are likely the
result of reactivation of infection acquired abroad,
although some transmission is occurring in the U.S. The risk
of disease among the foreign-born also appears related to
chronological age and age at immigration; younger people and
those who immigrated at younger ages are at lower risk for
subsequent infection with TB. In Washington, the majority of
foreign-born cases reported from 2004–2006 were 25 years of
age and over and were living in the U.S. for 10 years or
more (3% among ages 0–24 vs. 39% among ages 25 and older).
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To identify and ensure the adequate evaluation and
treatment of persons with TB disease
- To identify the contacts of TB cases and ensure their
evaluation
- To ensure that all eligible infected contacts are
offered and complete preventive therapy
Legal Reporting Requirements
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Health care
providers: immediately notifiable to local health
jurisdiction (WAC 246-101-101)
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Hospital:
immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction (WAC
246-101-301)
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Laboratories:
initial culture notifiable to local health jurisdiction
within two days; (WAC
246-101-201)
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Local health
jurisdictions: notifiable to the Washington State
Department of Health (DOH) within 7 days of case
investigation or summary required within 21 days (WAC
246-101).
Last
guideline update
June 2008 |
