Tuberculosis at a Global Crossroads: Time to Bring the Heat

November 14, 2018.Reading time 8 minutes.

A quarter of the world’s population, including 100,000 people in King County, are estimated to be infected with TB bacteria! And this preventable, curable disease still kills more people each year than any other infectious disease including HIV and malaria. In King County, two new cases of TB disease are diagnosed each week on average.

Surge in communicable diseases, funding shortages threaten public’s health

July 17, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

If you’ve followed the Public Health Insider, you know that we’ve seen a surge of communicable disease outbreaks in places like schools, health care facilities, jails and restaurants. And those are just the most visible ones. As the local health department, it’s our mission and legal responsibility to track down and stop over 50 communicable diseases in […]

World TB Day: Global epidemic hits home

March 24, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

Every week, two new people on average are diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in King County. Many of these cases are investigated, treated and managed through our local TB program without public attention, but we’ve seen recent instances in schools (here and here) and a university, health care facilities (here and here), a group residence and jail […]

TB evaluation at King County Jail

March 15, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

An X-ray of the chest of a man with tuberculosis. The areas infected with TB bacteria are colored red. Science Photo Library/Corbis

An inmate in the King County Jail system was recently diagnosed with infectious tuberculosis (TB). The person came into contact with other inmates and staff at times between November 20, 2016 and March 1, 2017, mostly at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Public Health – Seattle & King County’s TB control program has been […]

TB evaluation at Renton High School

October 31, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is following up on a person at Renton High School who was diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). Public Health is working with Renton School District officials to define the extent of any potential TB exposures, conduct screenings for those exposed, and provide guidance and information to Renton High School community […]

TB evaluation at the University of Washington Seattle campus

October 27, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is following up on a person at the University of Washington Seattle campus who was diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB). Public Health is working with the UW to determine whether others have contracted TB from exposure to this person. The University and Public Health are contacting all individuals who had […]