Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://www.kark.com/news/health-ne...larm-over-tuberculosis-in-northeast-arkansas/
Public health officials sound alarm over tuberculosis in northeast Arkansas
by: Alex Kienlen
Posted: Oct 24, 2023 / 04:38 PM CDT
Updated: Oct 24, 2023 / 04:39 PM CDT
JONESBORO, Ark. – Public health officials are warning health care workers and individuals in northeast Arkansas about a cluster of tuberculosis cases in the region.
Officials with the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University said six cases have been recorded in Craighead County this year. This is after 27 cases were recorded between 2021 and 2023, over half of them requiring hospitalization, including several children.
Hospitalization indicates a serious infection, officials said.
Arkansas Department of Health infectious disease physician and assistant tuberculosis controller Dr. Sandra Chai spoke about the potentially larger number of infections.
“This is a large cluster,” Chai said. “We suspect that there are undetected cases of active and latent tuberculosis related to this cluster. We need our healthcare providers to help us find them so we can treat them.”...
Public health officials sound alarm over tuberculosis in northeast Arkansas
by: Alex Kienlen
Posted: Oct 24, 2023 / 04:38 PM CDT
Updated: Oct 24, 2023 / 04:39 PM CDT
JONESBORO, Ark. – Public health officials are warning health care workers and individuals in northeast Arkansas about a cluster of tuberculosis cases in the region.
Officials with the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University said six cases have been recorded in Craighead County this year. This is after 27 cases were recorded between 2021 and 2023, over half of them requiring hospitalization, including several children.
Hospitalization indicates a serious infection, officials said.
Arkansas Department of Health infectious disease physician and assistant tuberculosis controller Dr. Sandra Chai spoke about the potentially larger number of infections.
“This is a large cluster,” Chai said. “We suspect that there are undetected cases of active and latent tuberculosis related to this cluster. We need our healthcare providers to help us find them so we can treat them.”...