Epidemiology of TB in foreign-born Asian personals in WA State

Reported Tuberculosis in the United States, 2008
According to this latest report from the CDC, WA state is ranked 14th in the number of TB cases in 2008 with 228 cases. When state population is taken in account, WA State has 23rd highest TB case density. Of the 228 cases, 78 cases (34.2%) are of Asian ethnicity or about 1 out of 3 TB cases.
A Glance at Washington’s Foreign-Born TB Cases
Findings from WA State DOH state that 35.5%, 21.1%, and 19.7% of TB cases in the foreign-born are in the 25-44, 45-64, 65+ age group respectively. When TB cases are diagnosed in foreign-born who is 65+ years old, there is 61% chance that he/she has been living in the United States for more than 10 years.
Implication for health practitioners in WA State
· 1 out of 3 TB cases a health practitioner diagnosed is an Asian American who is likely foreign-born.
· Health practitioners, public health personnel, and social/community workers must be aware that active TB disease is not only prevalent in the foreign-borns who are young (less than 44 years old), and newly arrived (less than 5 years of residency). Indeed, 1 out of 3 cases of TB in the foreign-borns are in those who are 44+ and who have been living in the U.S. for more than 5 years.
· Those who are foreign-born, living 5+ years in U.S., 44+ years old, and displaying any signs and symptoms of TB must be screened for TB and properly followed.