Health unit marks World TB Day

World TB Day was marked by health-care professionals around the world March 24.

The awareness day brings attention to the global fight against tuberculosis.

This year’s theme is “Stop TB in my lifetime.” The World Health Organization estimates that 8.8 million people contract TB, and close to two million people die annually from this disease.

World TB day commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, taking the first step in eliminating the deadly disease.

Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs.

The disease spreads from person to person in droplets from the throat and lungs of people with the disease.

This year, the Sudbury and District Health Unit will be increasing TB awareness within the health-care programs in post-secondary institutions in the Sudbury area.

Information packages on tuberculosis and TB testing will be provided to teachers and students.

The purpose of these packages is to increase TB awareness and to stress the importance of screening, diagnosing, and treating tuberculosis infections.

Since tuberculosis is spread from person to person, protecting the community from TB depends on effectively treating individuals who have the disease.

Tuberculosis is preventable, treatable, and curable. Communities around the world continue to mobilize, raise awareness, engage with governments, and encourage sponsors to invest in TB control.

For more information about tuberculosis, please visit www.sdhu.com or call the Sudbury and District Health Unit at 705-522-9200, ext. 301 or toll-free at 1-866-522-9200, ext. 301.

Posted by Arron Pickard