Trends in Tuberculosis - United States, 2014

New national TB surveillance data reaffirm that TB control is working in the United States. Together, CDC and its public health partners are steadily navigating the nation towards the elimination of TB. Preliminary data from CDC’s National TB Surveillance System reveal a continued drop in cases and rates with a total of 9,412 cases reported in 2014 and a 2.2 percent decline in the rate from 2013 (to 3.0 cases per 100,000 population). Yet, data suggest progress is slowing, with 2013-14 experiencing the smallest decline in TB rates since 1992. TB also continues to strike with a heavy blow in certain communities and vulnerable populations. The TB rate among foreign-born individuals is 13 times higher than among those born in the U.S. Compared to whites, the TB rate for Asians is 29 times higher, and is eight times higher among both blacks and Hispanics. Despite these disparities, anyone can get TB – exposure to the disease can occur anywhere people are in close contact with one another and the consequences can be devastating for those affected. Individuals with multidrug (MDR) or extensively-drug resistant (XDR) TB face the toughest road of all, including years of difficult and costly treatments that can have severe side effects. In 2013, MDR TB accounted for 1.3 percent of cases, or 96 total cases. One case of XDR was reported so far in 2014. To eliminate TB in the U.S., authors note that we must focus on affected populations and improve awareness, testing and treatment of TB infection and disease.

###

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES