To achieve the goal set by the World Health Organization (WHO) of ending tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2035, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) has decided to continue facilitate the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Taiwan CDC Director-General Chou Jih-haw (周志浩) pointed out during the World Tuberculosis Day activity that from this year (2017) onwards, the agency would expand the target population for its free TB examination and treatment. The goal is to reduce the potential risk of disease outbreak through relapse of LTBI. Taiwan CDC hopes to achieve the goal of “zero infection, early screening, comprehensive treatment, and TB elimination”.

Taiwan CDC echoed WHO’s “Unite to End TB” activity by hosting the “LTBI stand out, TB is out” press conference on the World Tuberculosis Day. Taiwan CDC invited a family of five to share their experience with LTBI treatment. Five people from Madam Liu’s family received the LTBI treatment. Her youngest grandchild was only eight-month old when he undertook the treatment. He was even forced to give up nursing. Moreover, Madam Liu herself experienced some discomfort from the side effects of the treatment. Although the Liu family went through some minor inconvenience during the process, the family was determined to complete their LTBI treatment and be healthy again. Madam Liu was especially grateful to the doctor who discovered her symptom through early screening. Furthermore, with the support of her family and friends, Madam Liu was able to finish her treatment. Not only was the family protected by treatment; the process also bonded the family members closer together.

Taiwan CDC officials said that in addition to the press conference for World Tuberculosis Day 2017, Taiwan CDC also set up a website to promote TB awareness, urging people with latent TB infection to come forward for testing and treatment as soon as possible in order to reduce their risk of developing active TB. Starting in 2017, Taiwan CDC expanded the TB diagnosis and treatment services to reach more patients. Those who have close contact with patients with infectious TB are recommended to get tested for TB through either voluntarily visit a local health center or being notified by the local health center to get tested in order to determine the infectious status and whether treatment is necessary. In the meantime, 7 local health centers are hosting screening activities in the community to facilitate TB screening of the local residents. According to Taiwan CDC's estimation, approximately 75,000 people with latent TB will undergo TB testing and 8,000 people will receive medical treatments this year, preventing 800 people from the progression to TB disease and the spread of the disease in the community.

Taiwan CDC reminds the public that each person with active TB can infect on average 10 other people. Overall, about 10% of the people with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) will develop TB disease if not treated. Taiwan CDC urge people who have been in close contact with a highly infectious TB patient such as Grandma Liu and her family to voluntarily undergo TB testing and receive medical treatment when necessary in order to accelerate the progress toward achieving the ultimate goal of eliminating TB. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.twor call toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922.