Tuberculosis Cases In Washington Reach Highest Numbers The State Has Seen In 20 Years

Tuberculosis cases are on the rise in Washington, becoming the state’s biggest outbreak since 2002.

On Thursday, the Washington State Department of Health released news about concerns over the increase in TB cases in the state. In 2021, the state began seeing a rise in cases, with 199 cases reported, USA Today reports. That’s a 22 percent increase from the previous year, the news outlet reports. 

Just four months into 2022, the state has already seen 70 cases. In a statement, Washington State chief science officer, Kwan-Gett, said it’s been 20 years since cases have been this high. 

“It’s been 20 years since we saw a cluster of TB cases like this,” said Sheng, USA Today reports. Increased access to TB testing and treatment in the community is going to be key to getting TB under control.” The news outlet says the outbreaks stem from 17 people who were interconnected with one another and several state prisons. 

Now, Washington’s State Department of Corrections, Stafford Creek Corrections Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be working together to find ways to curve the spread.