Record-low tuberculosis cases in Illinois -- but still among the
highest in the nation
Tuberculosis numbers continue to drop in Illinois, but increasing
worldwide
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[March 24, 2012]
SPRINGFIELD -- Today the Illinois
Department of Public Health is recognizing March 24 as World
Tuberculosis Day and embracing the local theme "TB: Waves of Change,
Oceans of Opportunity" and adopting the global slogan "Stop TB in My
Lifetime." World Tuberculosis Day is a reminder that although the
illness is not common in the United States, it is still circulating
around the world. Illinois ranks fifth in the nation for the highest
number of tuberculosis cases.
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"Although Illinois experienced a record-low number of new
tuberculosis cases during 2011, the increase is cases worldwide can
mean more cases here. And many of the new cases are drug-resistant
tuberculosis cases, which are harder to overcome" said Dr. Arthur F.
Kohrman, acting director for the Illinois Department of Public
Health. "I urge all citizens to increase their awareness of
tuberculosis and to join the global effort to stop the spread of
this disease."Tuberculosis is a contagious and potentially
life-threatening disease that is transmitted from person to person
through the air when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes.
While it can affect any part of the body, such as the brain, kidneys
or spine, tuberculosis usually affects the lungs. General symptoms
may include fatigue, weight loss, fever and night sweats. When
tuberculosis attacks the lungs, symptoms can include a persistent
cough that sometimes produces blood and chest pains.
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While tuberculosis is usually curable, a person with the disease
must faithfully adhere to prescribed drug therapy for six months or
longer. Many patients comply with the strict drug regimen at first,
but some stop taking their anti-TB medication after they start to
feel better. Failure to follow the therapy for the full length of
time prescribed may allow the tuberculosis to return. In some cases,
the re-established infection cannot be treated with the usual
antibiotics.
Drug-resistant tuberculosis is on the rise globally. In some
areas of the world, as many as 1 in 4 people with tuberculosis
become ill with a form of the disease that can no longer be treated
with standard drugs regimens, a World Health Organization report
says.
In 2011, 359 cases of active tuberculosis were reported in
Illinois, a decrease from 372 cases reported in 2010. The record-low
number of cases in Illinois can largely be attributed to directly
observed therapy, a program to make sure those with TB complete
their full medication regimen. The lower number of cases of TB is
also due to identifying those who have had close and extended
contact with someone with TB, and treating appropriate cases for
latent tuberculosis infection.
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Following the national trend, the majority of TB cases in
Illinois are among individuals who were born in foreign countries
where TB is common, such as Mexico, India and the Philippines. Many
foreign countries have higher TB rates than the United States, which
has access to great medical advancements. In 2011, 63 percent of
tuberculosis cases in Illinois were among people born in foreign
countries.
The Illinois Department of Public Health, working in conjunction
with local health departments, focuses on finding tuberculosis cases
and making sure people are treated promptly and completely. IDPH
also looks for people who have had close contact and been exposed to
someone with tuberculosis, to ensure treatment if they are infected,
although not necessarily sick.
For more information on tuberculosis, visit the Illinois
Department of Public Health website at
www.idph.state.il.us.
___
World Tuberculosis Day:
http://www.stoptb.org/events/world_tb_day/2012/
[Text from
Illinois Department of Public Health
file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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