The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is committed to ending TB, and this year’s World TB Day theme, “Yes! We Can End TB,” emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in achieving this goal.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable and treatable air-borne infectious disease that continues to affect millions of people worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends individuals to get tested with a blood test. However, the majority of TB cases come from the progression of latent TB infection (LTBI) to active TB. LTBI is a condition where there is a small amount of TB bacteria suppressed by the immune system, unable to spread TB to others. Without treatment, LTBI can multiply and develop into active TB. Treatment is available for both LTBI and active TB.
Dr. Henning Ansorg, Public Health Officer and County’s TB Controller, emphasizes that preventing infection before active TB develops is key in controlling the spread of the disease. He encourages community members to feel comfortable asking their providers to get tested for LTBI as it can lead to early detection and treatment, ultimately preventing active cases from developing.
In 2022, Santa Barbara County had an incidence rate of 4.3 cases per 100,000 compared to the national average in the United States of 2.5 cases per 100,000. This highlights the need for continued awareness campaigns on identifying those at risk and preventing active cases from developing further. The County collaborates with health providers in local clinics, hospitals, and organizations to provide education on testing and treatment options as crucial steps in identifying those at risk and preventing active cases from developing further.
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department encourages everyone in the community to join their efforts towards ending TB by getting educated about the disease’s risk factors, symptoms, testing options and treatment options available through https://www
