Florida health officials say Duval County TB outbreak ‘contained’
Duval County map
Image/David Benbennick
Preliminary results from the 2012 Tuberculosis (TB) investigation in Duval County were announced Friday by Florida health officials and they say “clear progress’ was made, according to a Florida Department of Health press release Jan. 11.
According to health authorities, they successfully located nearly 1,600 of the 2,100 individuals exposed to 40 active cases of TB strain FL0046 in 2010 and 2011.
In addition, the Department identified 30 individuals with FL0046, a fully treatable strain of TB. This remains the same number as those identified with strain FL0046 in 2011.
In Duval County, more than 90 percent of contacts at highest risk for developing active TB, were located, and nearly 77 percent of contacts at much lower risk for developing active TB, were found.
Statewide data reveals that overall, tuberculosis rates continue to decline, from 753 cases in 2011 to 625 in 2012.
In Duval County, eighty-six total cases of TB were identified in 2012, including FL0046, compared with 71 in 2011.
TB FL0046 continues to be sensitive to normal TB antibiotic treatment.
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