TB Prevention and Control - Service Providers and Pharmacists

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Tuberculosis is a Reportable Illness – 441A.225 and 441A.352

Timely reporting by all responsible providers is crucial to ensuring effective treatment of all persons diagnosed with or suspected to have active Tuberculosis disease and for the evaluations of exposed persons (contacts).

Tuberculosis continues to be a public health threat; it remains the second leading cause of death among infectious diseases in the world. Although United States has achieved great strides in reducing the number of cases in the US we are still far from elimination. We need to continue collaborative efforts to one day achieve the goal of TB elimination.

Please report tuberculosis (confirmed and suspected) within 24 hours to Northern Nevada Public Health, Communicable Disease Program. Phone: 775-328-2447 or Fax: 775-328-3764. Confidential case report - Communicable disease report for Health Care Providers and Laboratory TB Medication Dispensing form for Pharmacists. Health Care Providers with immediate questions or concerns can call the TB program directly at 775-785-4785. 

How Can You Help Control TB?

  1. Identify test and treat. Actively identify and test your patients who are most likely to be infected with TB or who are at increased risk of developing TB if they are infected. Offer treatment to your patients with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and encourage them to complete the full regimen.
    • Persons at risk for TB infection:
      • Contacts to TB case - especially children under 5 years
      • Foreign-born persons from endemic countries (Such as China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, and Vietnam)
      • Persons who have lived in endemic countries
    • Conditions that increase the risk of LTBI progressing to TB
      • HIV infection - the strongest known risk factor
      • Diabetes mellitus
      • Immune system disorders
      • Use of TNF - antagonists (infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab)
      • Recent TB infection - the greatest risk for progression to TB is in the first 2 years after infection
      • Recent immigration - persons from endemic countries who have been in the US for less than 5 years have a 4 times greater risk of developing TB than those who have been in the US more than 5 years
      • Persons who are 10% or more below ideal body weight
      • End stage renal disease
      • Silicosis
      • Gastrectomy/jejunoileal bypass
      • Organ transplant
  2. Use DOT. Directly Observed Therapy is the gold standard of care for treating persons with TB disease. DOT is the most effective strategy for ensuring completion of treatment, preventing multi-drug resistant TB and preventing severe complications.
  3. Ask for assistance. We welcome your questions and referrals. We are delighted to share our knowledge and resources and extend consultation from our board-certified pulmonary specialists.
  4. Provide education for patients & health care providers. Order free CDC materials.
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TBPCP Staff

TBPCP Coordinator: Tasha Pascal, RN, PHN - 775-785-4787

TB Case Managers:
Samantha Beebe, RN, PHN - 775-785-4788
Jennifer Mendez Lemuz, RN, PHN - 775-785-4789

Referrals:

We accept referrals for evaluation of persons with TB symptoms; treatment of persons with TB disease and treatment of persons with latent TB infection at risk for progressing to TB disease. Referrals are also accepted for treatment of LTBI utilizing the Rifapentine and Isoniazid 12 week regimen (3HP). Please contact Diane, Judy or Holly at the numbers listed above.

TB Resources:

Epi-News Issues Featuring Tuberculosis

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Last modified on 12/07/2023