LAS VEGAS — Tuberculosis continues to be a significant global health threat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2021, across the globe, 1.6 million people died of TB and another 10.6 million become ill with it. While global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 74 million lives, the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors have reversed years of progress.

World TB Day, observed annually on March 24, draws attention to the ongoing epidemic and highlights the need to detect and treat those with TB. It is a reminder that too many people still unnecessarily suffer from the disease.

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported 7,882 TB cases in the United States. That same year, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) reported 54 TB cases in Clark County.

TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can be spread through the air when infected individuals cough or speak. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the brain, spine and kidney.

Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. In fact, most people will develop latent TB infection (LTBI), a condition in which the bacteria can live in the body without ever making a person sick. However, in other people, especially those with weak immune systems, the bacteria can cause active TB disease, which can be deadly if not identified and treated appropriately.

As the leading provider of TB services in Southern Nevada, SNHD’s Tuberculosis Treatment and Control Clinic offers comprehensive care to ensure that people with active TB disease or LTBI are treated and that those exposed to someone with active TB disease are properly evaluated.

For more information about World TB Day, visit https://www.cdc.gov/tb/worldtbday/.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.