By Dr. Amir Mohammad
Public Health
Dr. Amir Mohammad
An article published recently in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report titled “Large Tuberculosis Outbreaks – United States, 2017–2023” highlights an important and often underrecognized public health concern.
Fifty large outbreaks of tuberculosis were identified across 23 states during the period the article covered, with the majority occurring among US-born individuals. Nationally, 10,260 TB cases were reported in 2025, with an incidence rate of 3.0 per 100,000 people.
The data also point to important social and environmental factors. Individuals involved in large outbreaks were more likely to report substance use, homelessness or a history of incarceration. Notably, nearly two thirds of these outbreaks occurred within family and social networks, underscoring how TB can spread quietly through close, everyday interactions rather than only in institutional settings.
TB remains a reportable disease in Connecticut, and recent trends are concerning. One hundred and four cases were reported in 2025, representing an incidence rate of 2.8 per 100,000 residents. This reflects a 20 percent increase in cases – and a 19 percent increase in incidence – compared with 2024, when 87 cases were documented.
A closer look at Connecticut data highlights several key risk factors. Approximately 15 percent of individuals diagnosed with active TB had a prior history of latent TB infection (meaning the bacteria were present but inactive) and had either not received treatment or had not completed it. Other contributing conditions included diabetes in nearly one in five cases, along with smaller proportions involving substance use and HIV.
Public health efforts remain active and ongoing in Orange. Since 2022, both active and latent TB cases have been identified and closely monitored. Clinical oversight and contact tracing are provided by our public health nurse, Lynn Peckhan.
The recent rise in TB cases, both nationally and locally, serves as a reminder that this disease has not disappeared. Public health experts continue to emphasize the importance of early detection and prevention. Individuals at increased risk should consider screening, which is typically performed using a blood test (interferon-gamma release assay) or a skin test, followed by further evaluation if results are positive.
Treating latent TB infection remains one of the most effective strategies to prevent progression to active disease. Shorter, evidence-based treatment regimens – such as three to four months of combination antibiotic therapy – are now preferred because they are easier to complete and highly effective.
Addressing TB requires more than clinical care – it depends on sustained public health infrastructure, community awareness and individual participation in screening and treatment. By recognizing risk factors, providing timely education in recognizing risk factors and ensuring treatment completion, communities like Orange can help prevent the spread of TB and protect public health.
Dr. Amir Mohammad is the director of the Orange Health Department.