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World TB Day: New U.S. Data for 2012

In advance of World TB Day, CDC has released preliminary national TB surveillance data for 2012. The new data show that after 20 consecutive years of declines, TB is at an all-time low in the United States.

Despite this progress, we must continue to address TB among disproportionately-affected communities, especially among racial/ethnic minorities and foreign-born individuals.
Drug-resistant TB currently accounts for a small proportion of overall TB cases; however, it still remains a serious threat to our ability to treat and control TB, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Although TB prevention and control efforts have averted an estimated more than 200,000 TB cases in the U.S. over the past 20 years, we must remain vigilant against this serious disease.

One way people can protect themselves from TB is by understanding what TB is and how it is spread. If you think you have been exposed to someone with TB disease, you should contact your doctor or local health department about getting a TB skin test or a special TB blood test.