March 22, 2012

Mangano and Eisenstein Recognize World TB Day – March 24, 2012

Nassau County TB Rates Below the National Average

Uniondale, NY - In recognition of World Tuberculosis Day, March 24th, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein are announcing that the number of confirmed tuberculosis (TB) cases in Nassau County continues to be well below the national average.  In 2011, 29 confirmed cases of TB were reported in Nassau County, bringing the county’s case rate to 2.2 (per 100,000 people) compared to the national average case rate of 3.6 in 2010. 

“I am proud of the health department’s efforts in protecting the health of our residents, said County Executive Mangano.  “The Tuberculosis Control Program is another example of the exceptional work that continues throughout Nassau County.”

Nassau County Department of Health’s Bureau of Tuberculosis Control oversees the public health effort of appropriately treating tuberculosis patients and provides guidance and education for Nassau’s health care providers. One component of this program is Directly Observed Therapy (DOT). In DOT, trained Department of Health staff meets with a person who has tuberculosis to help him or her remember to take the medicines to treat tuberculosis – this ensures compliance and is an importance measure in preventing drug resistant tuberculosis.

“Nassau County Department of Health continues to be vigilant in protecting public health through the prevention and control of tuberculosis,” said Health Commissioner Lawrence Eisenstein, M.D. “World TB Day raises awareness about the epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease.”

Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease usually affecting the lungs (pulmonary TB).  Among infectious diseases, tuberculosis remains a leading killer of adults in the world, with an estimated 2 million tuberculosis-related deaths worldwide each year.  Tuberculosis is spread through the air when a person with untreated pulmonary tuberculosis coughs or sneezes. Prolonged exposure to a person with untreated tuberculosis usually is necessary for infection to occur.  The most important way to stop the spread of tuberculosis is for tuberculosis patients to cover the mouth and nose when coughing, and to take all the tuberculosis medicine exactly as prescribed by the physician.

Active Tuberculosis Cases in Nassau County:

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

29

43

38

43

44

52

53

57

56

65

94

70


World TB Day, an annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. This was a first step towards diagnosing and curing tuberculosis.