Latest news with #MycobacteriumTuberculosis
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tuberculosis case sparks concern for spread in Portland: What to know
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A case of tuberculosis was this week, and the news has sparked concerns among local families. 'I thought we got rid of it. Why go backwards? What's next, polio?' said Joe Blaumer, a parent with ties to Lane Middle School, where the disease was found. READ MORE: Tuberculosis case confirmed at Portland middle school, health officials say Public health officials confirmed Thursday that someone from the school had tested positive for the disease. They said the person was likely contagious between Sept. 3, 2024, to May 1, 2025, and may have exposed others. However, Multnomah County said they are 'optimistic that community spread will not occur from this case, and there is little risk to the general public at this time.' Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium Tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs, though it can also impact other parts of the body, such as the brain or lymph nodes. According to the , symptoms include a cough that lasts three weeks or longer, sometimes with blood. It can also cause chest pain, fatigue, fever/chills and night sweats. If left untreated, it can become fatal. More than half of Oregonians cannot afford their cost of living, report finds There are two types of TB: active and inactive. The CDC says people infected with active TB may experience the symptoms listed above, but those with inactive TB may show no symptoms at all. People with inactive TB 'do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others.' However, inactive TB can develop into the active disease at any time. The spread of TB comes from close face-to-face contact with someone infected with the disease, usually by coughing or speaking closely for hours. The bacteria is airborne and can stay in the air for several hours in an indoor space. TB's development of the disease can take months or years, but it is curable with medication. That's why Multnomah County officials urge anyone with symptoms to seek treatment right away. 'Because the infection progresses slowly, it's important to be treated to prevent serious illness,' according to the county. The Multnomah County Health Department reportedly sees up to 30 cases of TB every year. Anyone can get TB, but certain people can be at higher risk of infection. The CDC says you are more likely to contract the disease if you: Were born in or frequently travel to countries where TB is common (including Asia, Africa, or Latin America) Live or used to live in large group settings where TB is more common Recently spent time with someone who has active TB disease Have a weaker immune system (due to HIV, cancer, etc.) Work in places where TB is more likely to spread, such as a hospital Sailing from Oregon to Hawaii after quitting his job turns a man with a cat into social media star Public health officials in Multnomah County have contacted the infected person and put safety precautions in place to reduce the chance of the disease's spread in their family or the community. Health Officer Dr. Richard Bruno says anyone who may have been exposed to the disease in Southeast Portland is likely not experiencing active TB. 'Fortunately, most people who have had casual contact with a person diagnosed with tuberculosis will not become infected,' Dr. Bruno said. 'And most people who become infected will never become ill with tuberculosis, especially with current medication regimens. While tuberculosis can be spread in school settings, we expect that anyone infected would not yet be ill and could be effectively treated with medication.' In fact, the health department said the disease is 'hard to catch.' 'People usually get infected as a result of close face-to-face contact for several hours with someone who has the disease — typically daily contact over a period of weeks or months,' according to Multnomah County. 'People are not likely to get TB from someone walking in the hallway or from a brief encounter. TB is not spread by sharing articles of clothing, dishes or drinking glasses. TB does not live on surfaces and is not spread through contact like shaking hands.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
'Yes! We Can End TB!' — World Health Organization (WHO) Calls for Accelerated Implementation of the Multisectoral Accountability Framework for the Tuberculosis (TB) Response
On 24 March 1882, Dr Robert Koch announced to the Berlin Physiological Society that he had discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB). This landmark discovery revolutionised the understanding and treatment of TB. By isolating and culturing the microorganism, Dr Koch laid the foundation for effective diagnostic and treatment methods that have since saved countless lives. In recognition of his pioneering work, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1905. Each year on 24 March, countries around the world commemorate World Tuberculosis Day (WTD)—not only to honour Dr Koch's achievement but also to raise awareness of the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to accelerate efforts to end the global TB epidemic. Despite significant advances, TB remains a major public health challenge in Ethiopia, as in many low- and middle-income countries. According to the 2024 WHO Global TB Report, Ethiopia is among the 30 high-burden countries for both TB and TB/HIV. The estimated TB incidence is 146 per 100,000 population, with 8.3% of TB patients co-infected with HIV. In 2023, TB-related mortality among HIV-negative individuals was estimated at 19 per 100,000 population. Ethiopia commemorated World TB Day on 23 March 2025 in Arba Minch City under the global theme: 'Yes! We Can End TB! Commit, Invest, Deliver!' The event featured a range of activities, including the Tuberculosis Research Advisory Council (TRAC) Conference, as well as vibrant social mobilisation and awareness-raising campaigns. Participants included senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), the South Ethiopia Regional Health Bureau, Arba Minch City Administration, Arba Minch University, WHO, the German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association (GLRA), the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), and other partners and stakeholders. Tuberculosis Research Advisory Council (TRAC) Conference Ethiopia has adopted WHO's End TB Strategy, which aims to eliminate TB by 2035. The strategy's third pillar emphasises intensified research and innovation. To support this, the WHO Global TB Programme (GTP) developed the Global Action Framework for TB Research (GAF) to advance TB research at national and global levels, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The framework promotes the development of country-specific TB research plans, strengthens research capacity, and fosters the establishment of national research networks that link TB control programmes with academic and research institutions. Ethiopia's National TB Research Advisory Council (TRAC) was established in 2001 with support from WHO. For nearly two decades, TRAC has provided technical guidance to the National Tuberculosis Programme and the FMoH. It has played a vital role in advancing operational research on TB prevention, care and control, while serving as a platform for collaboration between researchers and national authorities. This year, TRAC held its 19th Annual Conference from 21 to 22 March 2025 in Arba Minch, South Ethiopia, under the theme: 'Yes! We Can End TB! Commit, Invest, Deliver!' In his keynote address, Dr Owen L. Kaluwa, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, commended the country's progress in TB control but underscored the need to close critical gaps. He noted that treatment coverage for new TB and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases stood at approximately 72% and 31%, respectively. Alarmingly, one third of all estimated TB cases and two thirds of MDR-TB cases still lack access to quality care. Recognising TB as both a health issue and a broader development challenge, Dr Kaluwa called for strengthened collaboration across sectors. He urged expedited implementation of the Multisectoral Accountability Framework for TB (MAF-TB), which Ethiopia launched two years ago. He also highlighted a 60% funding gap in Ethiopia's TB response, as reported in the 2024 Global TB Report, warning that global funding uncertainties could widen this gap—potentially delaying progress towards the End TB targets. Dr Kaluwa emphasised the importance of prioritising domestic investment in TB prevention and care, increasing awareness and community education, and advocating for policies that support TB control. He called for stronger political commitment, effective multisectoral coordination, and robust accountability mechanisms. In addition, he encouraged the adoption and expansion of global innovations and tools to accelerate TB control and urged greater support for local research to generate context-specific evidence for decision-making. Opening the research conference, H.E. Dr Dereje Duguma, State Minister of Health, acknowledged the achievements of Ethiopia's national TB programme, including the scale-up of WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic tools—now exceeding 900 units nationwide—which have significantly improved TB case detection. Dr Dereje stressed the importance of reinforcing the MAF-TB to drive coordinated, multisectoral efforts. During the event, he presented certificates of recognition to healthcare workers and professionals for their long-standing contributions to TB prevention and care in Ethiopia. He also awarded the highest honours to Dr Abraham Assefa for his outstanding contributions to TB control and to TRAC. Over the course of the two-day conference, 27 research abstracts—selected from more than 100 submissions to the TRAC Secretariat—were presented and discussed, offering valuable insights into national TB priorities and further strengthening the country's TB research agenda. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Ethiopia.
