World TB Day 2017: Unite to End TB

World TB Day is a time to recognize achievements in TB prevention and control, and renew our commitment to eliminate this devastating disease in the United States.

World TB Day is observed every year on March 24 to create awareness and support world-wide efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB). This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes TB. This year’s World TB Day theme is Unite to End TB.

TB experts agree that ending TB in the United States requires increasing our efforts to detect and treat latent TB infection. CDC estimates up to 13 million people in the United States have latent TB infection. People with latent TB infection do not have symptoms and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. However, without treatment, 1 in 10 people with latent TB infection will go on to develop TB disease. For some, that risk is much higher. CDC and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend testing for latent TB infection in populations at increased risk.

Dr. Pennan Barry (left) and Dr. Jonathan Iralu (right) are helping clinicians find and treat people with latent TB infection.

TB Control Team members from the Allentown (Pennsylvania) Health Bureau have made testing for TB infection easier for the community.

In recognition of this increased emphasis on latent TB infection, CDC is proud to feature thirteen CDC U.S. TB Elimination Champions who have been successful in expanding latent TB infection testing and treatment in their communities. Below are just a few of the ways these champions are preventing future cases of TB disease by addressing latent TB infection:

• Helping health care providers identify at-risk patients: TB control and prevention has traditionally been a function of state and local public health departments. However, many of those at high risk for latent TB infection and TB disease receive care from private healthcare providers and community health centers, who may be unfamiliar with TB risk factors. Dr. Pennan Barry, from the California Department of Public Health, together with Michael Carson, Program Manager in Orange County, California developed a risk assessment tool and a companion user guide to help clinicians perform risk-based testing. The tool has been shared extensively with community health care providers, and has been downloaded 4,500 times from the California Department of Public Health website since October 2016.
• Removing barriers for TB testing and treatment: Healthcare workers and others who work or volunteer in high-risk settings for TB exposure are often required to get tested for TB. The TB Control Team from the Allentown (Pennsylvania) Health Bureau makes it easy for these and other at-risk groups to receive low or no-cost TB skin tests or TB blood tests through their weekly walk-in clinic. Free treatment is offered to those who test positive and are diagnosed with latent TB infection.
• Adopting new treatment regimens: One advancement in latent TB infection treatment options is a shorter regimen that combines isoniazid and rifapentine, and is administered once weekly for 12 weeks. Shorter treatment regimens can help patients complete treatment faster and with fewer side effects. Dr. Jonathan Iralu, Chief Clinical Consultant for Infectious Diseases at the Indian Health Service has led the way in adopting this regimen, personally mentoring dozens of clinicians to help bring the latest treatment for latent TB infection to the most remote locales. Under his leadership, the Navajo Nation saw TB disease rates decrease from 23 cases per 100,000 in 1995 to less than 5 cases per 100,000 in 2015.

Visit the CDC U.S. TB Elimination Champions website to read more stories from our 2017 Champions. We hope sharing these success stories will inspire others to Unite to End TB  in their communities.