Goheung-gun Conducts Free Mobile Tuberculosis Screening for the Elderly

For Seniors Aged 65 and Over and Vulnerable Groups

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Song Gwi-geun) announced on the 30th that it has been conducting free mobile tuberculosis screenings since the 25th for seniors aged 65 and older and vulnerable groups who are susceptible to tuberculosis infection, aiming for early detection of tuberculosis and preventing its spread in the community.

The mobile screening was conducted targeting about 450 seniors in three myeon areas with high tuberculosis incidence rates and significant epidemic transmission power, focusing on village halls.

This project is carried out in cooperation with the Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Korean Tuberculosis Association, equipped with mobile screening vehicles and portable X-ray devices for on-site examinations, with results confirmed through real-time remote reading.

In cases of suspected findings, sputum collection is conducted on the same day, providing rapid diagnosis to resolve the seniors' inconvenience at once, and tuberculosis bacteria will be treated according to the test results.

Additionally, during the screening, easy-to-understand explanations about tuberculosis infection routes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment methods were provided, along with education on daily safety management such as handwashing and cough etiquette to prevent tuberculosis, aiming to improve correct awareness of tuberculosis.

A county official stated, “Tuberculosis is a legally designated second-class infectious disease transmitted through the air via coughing and conversation. It is important for seniors aged 65 and older to undergo tuberculosis screening once a year even if they have no symptoms.”

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