TB evaluation at Auburn School District

December 12, 2022.Reading time 5 minutes.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is following up on the report of an Auburn School District community member who was diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). Public Health is working with the Auburn School District officials to define the extent of any potential TB exposures, conduct evaluations for those exposed, and provide guidance and information to the school communities affected.

TB Evaluation at Auburn High School

August 18, 2022.Reading time 4 minutes.

Chest x-ray of someone with tuberculosis

Public Health – Seattle & King County is following up on the report of an Auburn High School community member who was diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). Public Health is working with the high school and Auburn School District officials to define the extent of any potential TB exposures, conduct evaluations for those exposed, and provide guidance and information to the Auburn High School community

TB Evaluation at Transitional Care Center of Seattle

June 23, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is following up on the report of an individual at Transitional Care Center of Seattle who was diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). Public Health is working to define the extent of any potential TB exposures, and supporting the facility as they conduct evaluations for those exposed and provide guidance and information to staff and residents.

The number of TB cases in King County increased last year. They could have been prevented.

March 24, 2022.Reading time 4 minutes.

As much as a fourth of the world’s population is estimated to be infected by the tuberculosis bacterium. The vast majority are “latent” infections, meaning the bacteria is dormant, or “asleep,” in people’s bodies. But latent TB infection (LBTI) can lead to active tuberculosis: Ten million people developed active TB in 2020, and 1.5 million people died of the disease globally.

TB Evaluation at Aki Kurose Middle School

March 9, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is following up on the report of an Aki Kurose Middle School community member who was diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). Public Health is working with the middle school and Seattle Public Schools officials to define the extent of any potential TB exposures, conduct evaluations for those exposed, and provide guidance and information to the Aki Kurose Middle School community.

Fewer TB cases in King County could be due to a decline in testing, not infections

March 24, 2021.Reading time 4 minutes.

In a typical year, 1.5 million people die of tuberculosis (TB) globally and 10 million fall ill with it. In Washington, 7% of people with active TB die. TB has been infecting and killing humans for thousands of years, and in fact, it is still one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. Locally, about 100 people are diagnosed with infectious TB every year in King County.