Tuberculosis (TB) in Gloucestershire

16/07/2002

Public Health managers in the county have welcomed a new report, which shows that the number of Tuberculosis cases in Gloucestershire are at a low level and appear to have fallen from 5.3 per 100,000 people in 2000 to 3.2 per 100,000 in 2001.

Speaking on behalf of the three Primary Care Trusts in Gloucestershire, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, Dr Toyin Ejidokun explained that the local NHS had an important role to play in reducing the impact of TB on people's health through early diagnosis and effective treatment.

Dr Ejidokun said:

"The cornerstones of good management are prompt identification of cases, encouraging those found to have TB to adhere to treatment, and screening individuals who may have had prolonged or close contact with persons who are diagnosed with TB in the lungs. Where there is concern that a person has been exposed, they are referred to a consultant at the hospital for further assessment, care and treatment."

"We continue to have an active immunisation programme for school children, although some of the surrounding counties have only recently recommenced their programmes. There are several reasons why the numbers of TB cases are low for this county. TB is often an indicator of poverty and Gloucestershire could be considered as a fairly affluent county. The disease is more commonly found among people who originated from parts of the world where TB is endemic, and have settled in this country. Gloucestershire has a relatively small immigrant population. These reasons should be taken into account when considering this report's findings."