Notes from the Director

Dear Colleague:

One of the most important events for people working in tuberculosis (TB) elimination is World TB Day. World TB Day is observed annually on March 24, to commemorate Dr. Robert Koch’s announcement of his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes TB. On March 24, and the days leading up to it, CDC and many others share successes in TB prevention and control and raise awareness of the challenges that hinder our progress. The U.S. theme for World TB Day 2018 is “Wanted: Leaders for a TB Free United States. We can make history. End TB.” The Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE) World TB Day activities highlight our past achievements, present efforts, and future aspirations.

A total of 9,093 TB cases were reported in the United States in 2017 according to preliminary data from the CDC National TB Surveillance System. This 2017 provisional case count is the lowest number of TB cases on record in the United States; however, our current strategies will not be sufficient to reach the goal of TB elimination in the United States. Eliminating TB in the United States will require a sustained effort to control TB disease, and expanding testing and treatment of latent TB infection to prevent the development of TB disease.

Achieving TB elimination will also require the continued hard work and dedication from those working on the state and local levels. One of the goals of this year’s World TB Day campaign is to highlight this great work through the 2018 CDC U.S TB Elimination Champions project. In keeping with this year’s theme, we are highlighting organizations and individuals who are leading the effort to collaborate with public health partners, health care providers, and community organizations. We encourage you to read and share their stories with your partners and colleagues. Additional CDC resources are available in English and Spanish, including up-to-date information on TB, promotional materials, and other tools you can use as part of your World TB Day events and activities.

I hope all of you will have a chance to plan or take part in your own World TB Day activities. Thank you for your work and commitment to eliminate TB in the United States.

Philip LoBue, MD, FACP, FCCP
Director
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Communications, Education, and Behavioral Studies Branch Updates

March 24 is World TB Day and this year’s theme is “Wanted: Leaders for a TB-Free United States. We can make history. End TB.” CDC’s World TB Day website is a one-stop-shop for resources and information. U.S. World TB Day posters are available in two different sizes (8.5x11 and 11x17) to download and print. Graphics in a variety of sizes are also available for use in digital and print materials. Check out all the activities happening across the United States on the World TB Day Activities Map.

Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Outbreak Investigations Branch Updates

In recognition of World TB Day, DTBE has published preliminary TB surveillance data for 2017, documenting 9,093 new cases of TB in the United States in 2017. This is the lowest case count on record and corresponds with a TB rate of 2.8 per 100,000 persons, a rate 2.5% lower than reported in 2016. Read More

Laboratory Branch Updates

TB Laboratory Services in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, as a Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 155 mph and gusts up to 190 mph destroying roads and bridges, causing flooding and landslides, and destroying the island’s power grid and telecommunication system. Hurricane Maria was the strongest hurricane in PR in 80 years, with estimated losses of more than 95 billion dollars. Read More

Clinical Research Branch Updates

The Latest News from the TB Trials Consortium (TBTC)

TBTC Study 31 (also known as ACTG A5349; “Rifapentine-containing treatment shortening regimens for pulmonary tuberculosis: A randomized, open-label, controlled phase 3 clinical trial”) continues to enroll. As of December 7, 2017, the study had 1,522 participants, 61% of target enrollment. The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) network is collaborating with TBTC, contributing substantially to enrollment. Read More

Data Management and Statistics Branch

TB Education and Training Network (TB ETN)/ Program Evaluators Network (PEN) Webinar Summary

Meet the DMSEB Program Evaluation and Health Economics Team!

The Mission of the DTBE Program Evaluation and Health Economics Team is to collaborate with internal and external partners to identify and promote the use of the best available evidence for the planning and implementation of TB elimination strategies.Read More

New CDC Publications

January 2018

Click ES, Murithi W, Ouma GS, McCarthy K, Willby M, Musau S, Alexander H, Pevzner E, Posey J, Cain KP. Detection of Apparent Cell-free M. tuberculosis DNA from Plasma. Sci Rep 2018 Jan 12; 8(1):645. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-17683-6. PMID: 29330384.Read More