Tuberculosis (TB) incidence continues to decline nationwide.  This ancient disease is still around, but just less so.  In Arizona last year, there were 193 cases of tuberculosis.  Compared to 573 cases fifty years ago, that’s a significant decrease.

TB programs aren’t satisfied with this decrease; instead programs actively work toward the complete elimination of tuberculosis.  To help with that, National TB Program Objectives and Performance Targets have been developed.  The ADHS Tuberculosis Control Program recently released its 2014 Tuberculosis Surveillance Report that shows how Arizona meets those objectives, demonstrating its ability to complete TB treatment, track down contacts, and prevent outbreaks.

Tuberculosis elimination efforts are inspired by smallpox eradication and near polio eradication.   For more information on national and global plans to eliminate TB, please click here.