Dallas – March 24, 2008, Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) will observe World Tuberculosis (TB) Day by recognizing its frontline TB staff who diligently work every day to battle Tuberculosis.
DCHHS Tuberculosis Elimination Division has many services available to the public and to the health care profession. These services include providing consultation and information to health professionals on TB-related matters, administering medication through direct observed therapy, conducting direct observed preventive therapy to school children in collaboration with area school districts, case management of TB cases, referrals to other agencies, disease surveillance and investigation, and complete evaluation and treatment for tuberculosis upon referral from other health care providers.
“Worldwide, we are making progress on TB,” said Zachary Thompson, DCHHS Director. “For example, in 2005 the rate of new cases of TB worldwide leveled off for the first time since the World Health Organization began collecting data about the disease. But, despite recent progress, TB remains a massive global public health problem, with nearly 9 million new cases and more than 1.5 million deaths each year."
“About 95 percent of the TB patients in Dallas County are treated and cared for by DCHHS staff,” said Dr. Garry Woo, DCHHS Tuberculosis Elimination Program Medical Director.
DCHHS TB staff regularly visit homeless shelters to test the homeless population for TB. TB staff also works with Parkland Hospital and other service providers, to provide health and TB screenings and immunizations for newly arrived refugees to Dallas County.
Since 2006, the DCHHS Public Health Laboratory has offered Quantiferon testing, a sensitive and accurate blood test used instead of the traditional TB skin test to screen patients for TB infection.
DCHHS TB Prevention Program offers Quantiferon testing (Monday – Thursday) and PPD skin testing each weekday (except Thursday) from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, 3rd floor. Chest x-rays are also available weekdays by appointment. For more information, call (214) 819-2071.
