Public Health - Seattle & King County is addressing a recent development involving a resident of the Regency Senior Living community in Newcastle, who has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). The health department is taking proactive measures to manage the situation and ensure the well-being of the community.
TB is a serious but misunderstood infectious disease. Contrary to popular belief, TB is not easily transmitted. It requires prolonged and repeated exposure in enclosed indoor spaces to become infected. Even in households with a contagious TB patient, only about one-third of close household members are likely to be infected. This highlights the importance of understanding TB's transmission dynamics.
The evaluation process involves 28 individuals associated with the facility, who were exposed to the TB-positive individual for extended periods in indoor settings. Public Health is directly contacting these individuals to conduct TB evaluations, which include medical risk assessments and TB tests. This proactive approach aims to identify and manage potential cases early.
All staff, patients, and their families are being informed about the situation, regardless of their exposure level. If latent TB infection is detected, Public Health will provide treatment to eradicate the TB germs and prevent future disease development. Latent TB infection can be treated within three to four months, ensuring individuals remain non-contagious.
The individual with active TB is receiving treatment, which typically lasts six to nine months. Most active TB cases are treatable with common antibiotics. It's crucial to distinguish between active TB disease and latent TB infection. While active TB can be contagious, latent TB infection is not. Approximately 100,000 individuals in King County have latent TB infection, and only a small percentage will develop active TB over time.
TB primarily affects the lungs but can also impact lymph nodes, bones, joints, and other body parts. Active TB in the lungs can be spread through coughing or sneezing. In 2024, King County reported 110 new TB cases, with an average of about two cases diagnosed weekly. Understanding TB's signs, symptoms, and transmission is essential for effective management.
Public Health's TB Control Program plays a vital role in protecting the community. By diagnosing and treating active TB cases and screening high-risk contacts, the program prevents TB spread and outbreaks. This proactive approach saves costs and improves community health by controlling TB and preventing multi-drug resistant strains, which are challenging and expensive to treat.
Despite advancements in TB management, it remains a global health threat, causing over two million deaths annually due to limited access to treatment and effective control programs in various regions. Public Health's efforts in the United States are crucial in combating this disease and ensuring the well-being of the community.
