New data shows a worrying spike in tuberculosis cases in Santa Clara County.
The Santa Clara County Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that data shows there will be a 19% increase in new tuberculosis (TB) diagnoses in 2023 compared to the previous year. This spike follows a 6% increase in new tuberculosis cases in the county in 2022 compared to the previous year.
“These data do not reflect an outbreak, but rather the widespread distribution and increasing local health risks from communicable diseases,” the county said in a statement.
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The latest numbers available also show that the San Jose area had the highest tuberculosis rate of any metropolitan area in the United States.
Santa Clara County Tuberculosis Control Officer Dr. Ann Loeffler suspects that people who had delayed access to health care during the pandemic led to an increase in tuberculosis cases.
“Now that they're returning to care, health care workers are thinking about diseases other than COVID-19,” Loeffler said.
Officials said young children living with untreated tuberculosis patients were at risk.
County health officials are urging residents who are at increased risk to get tested and treated for tuberculosis.
For more information and a list of tuberculosis testing facilities in the county, visit: scccphd.org/TBinfo.
