The Philadelphia Department of Public Health's Division of Disease Control collects, manages, and analyzes data on active Tuberculosis disease (TB), LTBI, and other infections caused by mycobacteria related to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Data collected include, but are not limited to, demographic, diagnostic, and surveillance-specific disease characteristics (e.g. drug resistance). Accurate identification and timely reporting of both tuberculosis disease and infection are critical to successful treatment of patients and control of the spread of TB infection. Successful TB surveillance allows PDPH to:
- Provide Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), which is the preferred standard of care for patients with active tuberculosis;
- Identify contacts who may be infected or at risk of infection to offer preventive therapy;
- Assist healthcare providers in identifying, evaluating, and managing TB patients (through Self Administered Therapy, or SAT) and populations at risk for TB infection; and
- Determine the incidence of active disease and the prevalence of latent TB infection in a specific population.
Click here for more information on Tuberculosis, including how and when to report a case and other disease guidance.
Click here to download the latest report of TB activity in a printable format.
