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Tuberculosis Control
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious,
infectious, respiratory illness caused by a bacterium called
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. SCHD is responsible for assuring
tuberculosis control in our community.
Reporting & Controlling TB
Private physicians, hospitals, and
laboratories are required to report all suspected or confirmed cases of
TB to the SCHD via telephone. After cases are confirmed, each is
reported to the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Staff members investigate
and follow up on contacts to suspects and active TB cases.
Follow-up includes TB skin testing, chest x-rays, laboratory tests, and
treatment for Latent TB Infection (LTBI), usually over a period of nine
months or as indicated. All suspects, active cases, and
individuals with positive TB tests (who require LTBI therapy) are
eligible to receive TB medications at the SCHD at no cost.
All individuals suspected or confirmed to
have TB and certain patients receiving LTBI treatment are placed on
Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) throughout the course of treatment.
This means that a SCHD employee observes the patient swallow his/her TB
medication.
To report TB by telephone:
(941) 861-2873 (from 8am to 5pm, M-F)
(941) 861-2900 (Emergency, after hours or on holidays) |
