Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention and Control
What is TB?
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (inactive TB) and active TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
Tuberculosis Hides In Plain Sight
Tuberculosis (TB), or TB disease, is one of the world’s leading infectious disease killers.
The bacteria responsible for causing TB can live in the body for years without symptoms. This is called inactive TB or latent TB infection. Without treatment, inactive TB can become active TB disease at any time and make you sick. Once TB becomes active, it can spread from person to person through the air.
Starting a conversation with your healthcare provider is the first step to protecting your family, friends, and community from this highly contagious disease.
For more information about TB from the CDC, visit: cdc.gov/tb
TB in Georgia
Vision - a Georgia free of TB.
Mission - to control transmission, prevent illness, and ensure treatment of disease due to TB. This is accomplished by identifying and treating persons who have active TB disease, finding, screening, and treating contacts, and screening high-risk populations.
The Georgia TB Program has the legal responsibility for all TB clients in the state regardless of who provides the direct services under legislative authority O.C.G.A. Department 511, Chapter 511-2, Subject 511-2-3 TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL. TB services are available to all who fall within the service criteria without regard to the client's ability to pay.
Current Georgia Statistics
2022 Georgia TB Surveillance Report (posted October 27, 2023)
2021 Georgia TB Surveillance Report (corrected report posted October 27, 2023)
2020 Georgia TB Surveillance Report (posted December 6, 2021)
2019 Georgia TB Surveillance Report
2018 Georgia TB Surveillance Report
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TB Related Links
American Lung Association (ALA)
Georgia Public Health Association
Georgia Public Health Laboratory
International Union Against Tuberculosis & Lung Disease (IUATLD)
National Institute of Occupational Health & Safety (NIOSH)
National Tuberculosis Coalition of America (NTCA)
Page updated 8/14/24