Why Is This Important?

If not treated properly, tuberculosis (TB) disease can be fatal. TB bacteria usually attack the lungs but may attack any part of the body. The bacteria are typically spread through the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat expels tiny airborne particles which people nearby can breathe in and become infected. Early detection and treatment of TB are essential to control the spread of the disease and to prevent outbreaks.[https://www.cdc.gov/tb/about/index.html ^1^]

Definition

Percent of persons completing treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) who, during the contact investigations of AFB sputum-smear positive TB cases, have been found to have LTBI and initiated treatment

Data Source

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

The rate has remained above the original HNJ2020 target since 2014 but the revised target was not achieved.

What Is Being Done?

The [http://www.state.nj.us/health/hivstdtb/tb/ Tuberculosis Control Program] supports TB ambulatory care activities (clinical evaluation, treatment, prevention and epidemiology) at the county, municipal, and institutional level through the provision of health service grant funds, staff, medication, consultation, and education. The program also collaborates closely with the [http://globaltb.njms.rutgers.edu/ New Jersey Medical School's Global TB Institute] at Rutgers University to provide training.

More Resources

CDC Tuberculosis Info: [http://www.cdc.gov/tb/]

Health Program Information

NJDOH Tuberculosis Control Program: [http://www.state.nj.us/health/hivstdtb/tb/]

Footnote References

1. CDC, [https://www.cdc.gov/tb/about/index.html About Tuberculosis], 12/19/23