Tuberculosis Cases Show Decline In Texas

ATLANTA, GA — For at least a decade, Texas, California, Florida and New York have accounted for half of the United States' reported tuberculosis diagnoses each year. While this measure sounds frightening, Texans can actually breathe a sigh of relief this year.

While Texas' number of TB cases remained above the national average, declined in Texas in 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There were 1,127 cases of TB in Texas in 2017, a decrease of 9.8 percent over 2016, the CDC said in its annual tuberculosis report released Friday.

That's four cases per 100,000 people in the Lone Star State, a slight decrease from 4.5 per 100,000 in 2016.
That's still above the national rate of 2.8 cases per 100,000, but Texas' population can easily explain the numbers.

Overall, TB cases have declined since a spike in 2015

Dallas County Health and Human Services is tackling TB with free testing all day on Friday. Tests are available at 2377 N Stemmons in Dallas from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Testing will take place in Suite 300.

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