Naju-si Checks Tuberculosis Screening Status of Employees at Mandatory Screening Institutions

Published 22 Jan.2024 14:31(KST)

Naju City in Jeollanam-do focused on inspecting whether workers at institutions obligated to undergo tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection screenings have completed their tests.

According to the city on the 22nd, among the obligated institutions under Article 11 of the Tuberculosis Prevention Act, there are 141 medical institutions in the area that conducted an online self-inspection.

Blood draw for tuberculosis screening. [Photo by Naju City]

Workers at institutions required to undergo tuberculosis screening must receive a tuberculosis test once a year and a latent tuberculosis infection test once during their tenure, as mandated by the 2016 revision of the Tuberculosis Prevention Act.

New employees must undergo tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection screenings within one month of employment. If violated, the head of the institution will be fined between 1 million and 2 million KRW up to three times.

If the screening results indicate suspected tuberculosis, it is recommended to exclude the worker from duties until confirmatory test results are obtained, and those testing positive for latent tuberculosis infection will be guided to receive professional counseling and treatment at medical institutions.

Latent tuberculosis infection means that tuberculosis bacteria exist in the body but have not developed into active tuberculosis. Although it is not contagious, management is required because it can develop into tuberculosis and infect others if health deteriorates or immune function declines in the future.

Kang Dong-ryeol, head of the Naju Public Health Center, said, “Tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis screenings for workers at obligated institutions are to prevent community transmission in advance, so those who have not been screened must undergo testing.”