for eMaxHealthHealth Secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham held a press conference to announce the results of the Department of Health's tuberculosis investigation at United World College and new initiatives the department is pursuing to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in New Mexico.
The department plans to:
Conduct periodic cohort reviews of TB cases in each region to assure consistent, quality medical care
Provide more active nurse-based case management to better coordinate care
Use advanced tuberculosis blood test for case investigations when most suited
Integrate prevention and contact investigation efforts with the TB research expertise of Dr. Marcos Burgos, the department's new medical director for the tuberculosis program.
"We are excited to have Dr. Burgos help lead our tuberculosis program as we strengthen our case management, testing capabilities and prevention work so we can maintain a low number of tuberculosis cases in New Mexico," Grisham said. Grisham was joined at the press conference by Dr. Burgos and representatives from the United World College and RESULTS, a nonprofit, grassroots advocacy organization. The department's public health, tuberculosis and epidemiology staff recently worked with Dr. Burgos and college officials to prevent the spread of one case on the college campus. The student is recovering. Lisa Darling, president of United World College " U.S., said the college is grateful to have worked with the Department of Health, and particularly the TB medical staff, Dr. Burgos and Dr. Steve Jenison, medical director of the department's Infectious Disease Bureau. "They and their colleagues provided extraordinary support, education, and medical care to our community, all of which enabled us to prevent the spread of TB on our campus and resulted in 200 students from 92 nations acquiring an education in the issues surrounding TB, a serious world health problem," Darling said.
Department staff conducted 131 tests on students, faculty and staff. Six people tested positive for tuberculosis but don't have active cases. The department plans to provide treatment for the individuals. Treatment of latent infection cures tuberculosis. Public health staff will return to the campus next month to retest students and staff The department used a new blood test for the first time due to the large population of students from other countries who have had a BCG vaccine that conflicts with the routine tuberculosis skin test. This was the first time the department used the more advanced test during a contact investigation. "As we have seen at United World College, TB from other parts of the globe can easily find its way into our communities," said Heidi Topp Brooks, global group leader for RESULTS Albuquerque. "The theme of this year's World TB Day on Saturday, March 24 is oeTB Anywhere is TB Everywhere.' I urge you all to do what you can to support the fight against TB." The department is working on 11 active cases of TB so far this year. Last year, there were 48 cases of tuberculosis in New Mexico.
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