Investigation of Tuberculosis Outbreak in a Prison in the Eastern Taiwan, 2020

DOI: 10.6524/EB.202410_40(20).0001

Tzu-Chi Chen^*, Pei-Ching Huang, Ta-Jen Chien

2024 Vol.40 NO.20

Correspondence Author： Tzu-Chi Chen^*

Abstract：

        From October 1 to November 18, 2020, three inmates incarcerated in eastern Taiwan were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). An epidemiological investigation revealed that the three inmates lived in different living quarters and worked in different workplaces. This event was confirmed to be a tuberculosis outbreak after the TB strains were found to be of the same genotype. Subsequently, four contacts were diagnosed with the disease; two of whom were highly infectious. The expert meeting recommended expanding contact tracing efforts, utilizing the prison information system to verify transfer records, and conducting contact examinations every six months. As of October 2021, of the 10 cases that had been reported, 7 had been confirmed, and 6 cases had the same genotype. There were 717 contacts, and the completion rates of the four cycles of chest X-ray examinations were 55.2%–98.2%. As of April 2022, no more cases with the same genotype had been reported. This outbreak had been successfully controlled through inter-departmental cooperation, effectively mitigating and reducing the risk of future outbreaks in correctional institutions.