Found 228 Tuberculosis Patients Through Additional Testing... Also 17,041 Latent Infection Cases Identified

People waiting for tuberculosis tests are waiting for their turn. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Last year, among a total of 25,350 tuberculosis (TB) patients, an additional 102 TB patients were identified in group facilities. During this process, 11,494 individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) were also identified. Epidemiological investigations of family contacts found 126 patients and 5,547 individuals with LTBI.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) analyzed the results of contact investigations of families and group facilities following TB patient occurrences and announced the 'Key Results of the 2020 Tuberculosis Epidemiological Investigation' on the 17th.

The TB epidemiological investigation is conducted to identify the infectious characteristics of TB patients and to promptly detect and treat patients or individuals with LTBI by testing contacts who have shared the same space for TB and LTBI. Since 2013, the KDCA has organized and operated a specialized TB epidemiological investigation team. Currently, 24 team members are deployed across five regional disease response centers nationwide to conduct TB epidemiological investigations in cooperation with local governments.

According to the KDCA, among the total 25,350 TB patients last year (19,933 new patients), 7,324 belonged to group facilities. Among these, 4,188 cases (57.9%) with positive respiratory specimen test results or confirmed lesions on chest X-rays were targeted for this investigation.

By type of group facility, workplaces accounted for the largest number with 2,090 cases (49.9%), followed by social welfare facilities with 821 cases (19.6%), medical institutions with 651 cases (15.5%), and schools with 325 cases (7.8%).

In workplaces, the number of patient occurrences has decreased annually, with 3,943 cases last year, a 5.5% decrease compared to the previous year. However, as the criteria for conducting epidemiological investigations have been strengthened, the number of investigations has continued to increase annually. Last year, there were 2,090 investigations, a 6% increase from the previous year.

In other institutions excluding workplaces, both patient occurrences and the number of epidemiological investigations decreased. Social welfare facilities saw a 12% decrease in patient occurrences and an 11.2% decrease in investigations. Medical institutions experienced a 12.2% decrease in patient occurrences and a 16.5% decrease in investigations. Schools also saw a 27% decrease in patient occurrences and a 36.8% decrease in investigations.

As a result of these epidemiological investigations, 102 TB patients and 11,494 individuals with LTBI were discovered. The 102 TB patients were identified through TB tests conducted on 109,723 contacts. By facility, social welfare facilities accounted for 33 patients (32.4%), workplaces 31 patients (30.4%), medical institutions 24 patients (23.5%), and schools 12 patients (11.8%).

LTBI testing was conducted on 53,033 individuals who had close contact with TB patients. As a result, 21.7%, or 11,494 individuals, were diagnosed positive. The LTBI positivity rates were 30.0% in social welfare facilities, 29.8% in correctional facilities, 25.8% in medical institutions, and 25.0% in workplaces.

Additionally, among 24,650 family contacts of TB patients who underwent TB and LTBI testing, 126 additional TB patients and 5,547 individuals with LTBI were diagnosed.

The treatment initiation rate for LTBI among contacts of TB patients in group facilities was 49.7%, with a treatment completion rate of 79.5%. Among family contacts with LTBI, the treatment initiation rate was 59.9%, and the treatment completion rate was 57.6%.

The KDCA operates 553 medical institutions for family contact screening and 560 medical institutions for LTBI treatment to improve the quality of TB screening and treatment. The costs related to testing and treatment are fully covered by the government.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "Thorough epidemiological investigations to detect and treat TB patients and individuals with LTBI early are crucial measures for TB eradication," and emphasized, "Active participation and cooperation from medical institutions and local communities must continue."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.