Since March 1, 2106, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) has been 　　implementing the enhanced latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment program for all contacts. In addition, since the shorter treatment regimen for latent tuberculosis infection (3HP regimen) was made available on April 1, 2016, as of June 20, a total of 17,000 close contacts have been tested for latent TB infection and 1,686 people were tested positive for the infection and began treatment. Among them, 639 received the 3HP regimen and 33 have completed their treatment. Currently, the number of people enrolled in the treatment regimen is on the rise, adding an average of 50 to 60 people each week. In light of the high acceptance of the treatment regimen among patients, Taiwan CDC has decided to expand the number of hospitals prescribing the regiment from 77 to 118 beginning August 1, 2016.

According to the surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, since the 3HP regimen has been made available for the treatment of latent TB infection, the number of people on the regimen accounts for 38% of the total number of people receiving treatment for latent TB infection at the same time.　61% of the abovementioned 77 hospitals have prescribed the 3HP regimen more than they have prescribed the traditional 9-month isoniazid regimen. The number of people on the 3HP regimen has been steadily increasing. Hence, Taiwan CDC has planned to increase the number of hospitals prescribing the 3HP regimen to 118. It is estimated that 2,200 people will be placed on the regimen, preventing 220 people from developing TB disease.

Taiwan CDC pointed out that after the enhanced LTBI treatment program for all contacts was implemented, the first infected person who received the 3HP regimen is a 54-year-old female who was diagnosed with latent TB infection during the busy farming season. Initially, she refused the 9-month isoniazid regimen because she needed to help out at home and take care of an ill family member. After further evaluation, the physician prescribed her the 3HP regimen. In the beginning of her treatment, she felt easily fatigue. Nevertheless, under the care of her physician and the local health center, she successfully completed her treatment in mid-June, preventing the development of TB disease.

The traditional regimen requires daily taking of isoniazid for 9 months, which often leads to treatment interruption due to the long duration of the regimen. As a result, Taiwan CDC has been actively introducing the shorter regimen, the 3HP regimen, to reduce treatment time and increase treatment adherence. Few people on the regimen experience some mild side effects such as dizziness, lethargy and fatigue, which do not affect the majority of the daily routine activities. As long as the individual is enrolled in the enhanced LTBI treatment program, he/she will be able to finish taking the 12 doses once weekly over the span of 3 months with the help of the community health care worker.

Without treatment, about 10% of persons with latent TB infection will develop TB disease at some time in their lives.　The risk of developing TB is the highest during the first year of infection or when experiencing weakened immune system. To ensure personal health and the health of others, persons at risk for TB infection are urged to cooperate with the health authority and follow the doctor’s advice to complete all the necessary examination and treatment. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).