World TB Day --- March 24, 2011

World TB Day --- March 24, 2011
Weekly
March 25, 2011 / 60(11);333




World TB Day is observed each year on March 24 to commemorate the date in 1882 when Robert Koch announced the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB). Worldwide, TB remains one of the leading causes of death from infectious disease. World TB Day provides an opportunity for TB programs, nongovernmental organizations, and others to describe problems and solutions related to the TB pandemic and to support worldwide TB control efforts. The U.S. theme for 2011's observance is TB Elimination: Together We Can!

Despite a continued decline in U.S. TB rates, the national goal of TB elimination by 2010 was not met (1). TB case rates decreased among both foreign-born and U.S.-born persons, but the incidence of TB in the United States is disproportionally greater among foreign-born persons and racial/ethnic minorities.

CDC is committed to eliminating TB in the United States. Progress in meeting the goal of TB elimination will hinge on improving TB control and prevention activities among disproportionately affected populations (2). This progress also will require better diagnostic tests and screening strategies for persons with latent TB infection, shorter treatment regimens, an effective vaccine, and improvements in TB control globally. Additional information about World TB Day and CDC's TB elimination activities is available at http://www.cdc.gov/tb/events/worldtbday.

References
1.CDC. A strategic plan for the elimination of tuberculosis in the United States. MMWR 1989;38(No. S-3). [A Strategic Plan for the Elimination of Tuberculosis in the United States]
2.CDC. Trends in tuberculosis---United States, 2010. MMWR 2011;60:333--7. [Trends in Tuberculosis --- United States, 2010]

full-text:
World TB Day --- March 24, 2011