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

2023 Georgia TB Surveillance Report