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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing March 24, 2019 as World Tuberculosis (TB) Day (Chairwoman Hannigan)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _ X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board adopt and present a resolution recognizing March 24, 2019 as World Tuberculosis (TB) Day.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) has declared March 24, 2019 as World Tuberculosis (TB) Day and is an opportunity to raise awareness about the burden of TB worldwide and the status of TB prevention and care efforts. It is also an opportunity to mobilize social and political commitment for further progress on efforts to end TB in conjunction with the World Health Organization’s sustainable development agenda. This resolution will recognize that all residents of Solano County can help by taking steps towards creating awareness and preventing TB in our community.
The World TB Day 2019 theme is “It’s TIME” and has a very strong meaning: It’s TIME for a world without TB. It’s TIME to treat the 40 million people affected by TB by 2022. It’s TIME to know your TB status.
In the United States, an estimated 13 million people have latent TB infection. Up to one in ten people with latent TB infection will develop active TB disease. In 2017, 9,105 people were diagnosed with active TB disease in the U.S. According to the California Department of Public Health, in 2017 an estimated 2 million California residents had latent TB infection and 2,057 people were diagnosed with active TB disease. A short course of curative antibiotic treatment can be administered so that latent TB infection does not progress into active TB disease. The cost for treatment of latent TB infection is approximately $500, compared to the average cost of $17,000 to treat active TB disease.
In 2018, Solano County’s Tuberculosis Control Program evaluated an estimated 510 County residents for TB disease and provided intensive nurse case management to twenty-nine (29) patients with active TB disease. In addition, a contact investigation was conducted at a Fairfield elementary school involving the evaluation and testing of faculty and students after an exposure to TB. Additionally, there were eighty (80) other people from facilities all over Solano County who were tested and evaluated after an exposure to a case of active TB.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in order to reach the target of ending TB by 2030, is addressing the health needs of the disadvantaged, the marginalized, and those out of reach of a healthcare system by working to improve access to health services for everyone. In 2017, WHO estimated that 10 million people worldwide fell ill with active TB, with 1.6 million deaths, making it one of the world’s top infectious disease killers. Notably, an estimated 1 million children became ill with TB and 230,000 of them died of the disease in 2017. The WHO is encouraging a better understanding of the challenges of TB. World TB Day provides an opportunity to focus local, national and international attention on TB infection and to disseminate information and promote TB prevention and awareness to reduce the spread of TB.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing this agenda item are included in the Department’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget. There is no additional impact to the County General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt this resolution recognizing March 24, 2019 as World TB Day. This is not recommended because the resolution encourages residents to increase their awareness of the risk of TB for themselves, their partners and their children.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The H&SS Communicable Disease Program works with healthcare providers locally and statewide to address TB cases in Solano County.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION