ATLANTA, GA – Each year, public health officials recognize World TB Day on March 24 commemorating the date when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB) in 1882.

World TB Day provides the opportunity to raise awareness about TB-related problems and solutions. While great strides have been made to control and cure TB, people still get sick and die from this disease in the United States. In Georgia, the number of TB cases decreased from 5.6% from 2012 to 2013, with 399 TB cases reported in 2013.

“Tuberculosis is still a life-threatening problem in the US,” says Brenda Mims, RN, Infectious Disease Coordinator. “Anyone can get TB; however, the most at risk for TB are those with HIV infections or diabetes, and the homeless.”

This World TB Day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls for further collaboration to find and treat TB. By working together to raise awareness that TB still exists, we can bring attention to this public health problem.

The CDC and its domestic and international partners are taking many steps to stop further spread of TB and to reduce the overall burden of the disease. Efforts range from developing new treatment regimens and increasing the capacity of health professionals to provide adequate treatment, to issuing new recommendations for improved testing and
treating for US immigrants.

Source: Department of Public Health