Above / DuPage County Health Department encourages residents to observe World TB Day mindful that it’s time to end tuberculosis.
DUPAGE COUNTY—World TB (tuberculosis) Day is today, March 24, 2019. The goal of this day is to raise awareness and understanding of TB and to join the global effort to stop the spread of TB. It’s time to end TB.
The success achieved in containing the spread of TB in Illinois is directly attributable to the efforts of TB controllers at local health departments working toward the goal of TB elimination. In 2018, Illinois reported 319 TB cases and Cook County and its collar counties accounted for 285 of those. Although this is a decrease from the 342 reported cases in Illinois in 2017 (293 in Cook and collar counties), there is still much work to be done.
What is tuberculosis (TB)?
TB is a contagious and potentially life-threatening disease that is transmitted from person-to-person through the air when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes. People with TB are most likely to spread the germs to people they spend time with every day, such as family members or coworkers.
Many more individuals are infected with TB bacteria, but do not have the active disease. These people should be treated to prevent development into active, contagious TB.
Test for TB
You can be tested for TB at the health department or at your doctor’s office.
In recognizing that the goal of the TB Prevention and Control Program is TB elimination, the DuPage County Health Department offers a TB Clinic to residents of the county. Services include testing, diagnosis, and treatment and are offered by appointment only, no walk-ins accepted.
To make an appointment, call (630) 682-7400.
Report submitted by Don Bolger, Public Information Officer, DuPage County Health Department.
