Three active tuberculosis cases have been reported in Maine’s Greater Portland area, prompting health officials to test contacts of the infected patients as cases rise nationwide.
Health officials in Maine are investigating three active cases of tuberculosis (TB) in the Greater Portland area. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported these cases as TB continues to rise across the United States.
Lindsay Hammes, a spokesperson for the Maine CDC, confirmed that the agency is aware of the three active TB cases linked to the Greater Portland area and is currently conducting its standard response protocols. The Maine CDC is reaching out to individuals who may have come into contact with the infected patients to facilitate testing.
Hammes noted that each of the three cases appears to have been contracted from separate sources, highlighting the need for thorough contact tracing and testing.
While tuberculosis is not as contagious as illnesses such as the flu or COVID-19, it remains a significant public health concern. According to the World Health Organization, TB is the deadliest infectious disease globally, claiming the lives of over one million people each year.
This week, a high school student in Riverside County, California, also tested positive for an active case of TB. Officials reported that the student is receiving treatment and is optimistic about making a full recovery, as reported by KTLA-TV. Additionally, another active case was identified at a high school in Michigan, according to WWJ-TV.
After decades of decline, tuberculosis cases began to rise in 2021, following a significant drop in 2020. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted this trend in a report from 2022, and it has continued into the current year.
In Maine, the state CDC reported a total of 28 TB cases through the end of July 2023. However, officials emphasized that there is no outbreak at this time.
Not everyone infected with TB exhibits symptoms, but those with active cases may experience a persistent cough, which can include coughing up blood or sputum, as well as chest pain, fever, and fatigue. TB primarily targets the lungs but can also affect other organs. The disease spreads from person to person through the air, according to information from Johns Hopkins University.
Fortunately, tuberculosis is a treatable bacterial infection, and effective antibiotics are available to cure the disease.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Maine CDC for further comments regarding the ongoing investigation and response efforts.
Source: Original article