NATION : Tuberculosis Cases Rise in U.S.
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. tuberculosis rate is expected to climb 10% this year--the largest annual increase since 1953, when the government began keeping records, the American Lung Assn. said today.
“Although many Americans think that TB has been eliminated, it is making a strong resurgence in this country, and remains at disastrous levels in most developing countries,” said Dr. John Allen, president of the association. “What is of particular concern are the increases in the number of cases among children under the age of 5.”
The federal Centers for Disease Control has reported 20,782 cases of tuberculosis through Nov. 25 of this year, compared to 16,205 in the same period of 1989.
Large increases in tuberculosis have been reported among blacks, Hispanics and adults between the ages of 25 and 44.
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