(MintPress) – Florida is facing an unprecedented 16 percent increase in patients suffering from tuberculosis (TB). The problem is particularly acute given Gov. Rick Scott’s decision to close the state’s only TB hospital despite knowing of the increases in TB cases statewide.
The increase in TB cases statewide corresponds to marked increases nationwide which have killed 13 and left 99 others hospitalized according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report issued by Duval County and the CDC on April 5 indicates that cases of TB are at a 20-year high. However, state austerity measures have left Florida communities ill equipped to handle the sharp uptick in TB cases.
Duval County
Florida’s Duval County, which includes the city of Jacksonville, reported a sharp increase in cases of TB in February, particularly among the homeless population. In all, 79 percent of Florida’s TB cases are located in Duval County. The 16 percent overall increase in the number of TB cases prompted health officials to reach out to the CDC for additional help.
The Duval County Department of Health issued a report in April with plans to tackle what the report calls “the largest TB outbreak in the country.” However, these plans have been hindered by the austerity measures which have cut funding to public health initiatives.
Austerity affects community health
Amidst urgent calls to address the surge in TB cases, Florida Gov. Rick Scott decided to close the A.G. Holley State Hospital in Palm Beach County, the only hospital in Florida that specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of TB.
The A.G. Holley hospital was closed because of a cost saving measure calling for the consolidation of the state health facilities. Many, including representatives for the CDC have said that state officials, including Gov. Rick Scott pushed ahead with the hospital closing despite having knowledge of the increases in TB cases statewide.
Dr. Robert Luo of the CDC commented on the situation in a recent interview saying, “The high number of deaths in this outbreak emphasizes the need for vigilant active case finding, improved education about TB, and ongoing screening at all sites with outbreak cases.”
Lou continued, warning that 3,000 people who worked in Jacksonville’s homeless shelters, outpatient mental clinic and area jails during the past two years could be at risk for infection. Because of the high TB rates among the city’s homeless population, mass screenings are necessary to determine the true scope of the problem.
However, just 253 of the 3,000 have been located and screened for tuberculosis. One-third, about 83 of those screened, tested positive for tuberculosis exposure.
TB declines worldwide
Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease that generally attacks a victim’s lungs and respiratory system. The disease can be lethal and is extremely contagious. Victims can catch TB simply be breathing the same air as someone who is already infected.
The problem is still widespread, particularly in the developing world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 8.8 million cases of TB in 2010, about 1.1 million of these cases were fatal. Although these figures are concerning for health officials, the WHO concludes that the total number of TB cases has been declining worldwide since 2006.