December 2023

Wishing all of our newsletter recipients, community partners and local health jurisdiction staff a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! We look forward to sharing another year of TB news, events, and information in 2024.

CDC Releases “Reported Tuberculosis in the United States, 2022”

Last month, CDC released a full report of Reported Tuberculosis in the United States, 2022.

The report describes information on TB disease reported to the CDC since 1993. This year’s report emphasizes TB disease cases counted by reporting areas in 2022 and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB disease surveillance.

Information for Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs)

Update to Lab Submission Process at Washington State Public Health Laboratories (WAPHL)

Beginning January 1, 2024, the WAPHL will no longer accept paper based test requisitions for clinical test submissions. This change does not apply to Newborn Screening submissions.

WAPHL has implemented an electronic test ordering Lab Web Portal (LWP). The LWP makes it possible to collect all required demographic data included in the new Notifiable Conditions Rule. The LWP went live in June of this year and we have been working since then to onboard as many submitters as possible.

How do I sign up?

Step 1) Register for Secure Access Washington (SAW) account. (If you already have a SAW account, go to Step 2)

Step 2) Complete the enrollment form on TB SharePoint, and email to [email protected]

What else do I need to know?

You can enroll multiple users from one enrollment form. Each user is required to create their own account. Submit specimens through the WAPHL Lab test menu page. For any questions, contact [email protected] or call 206-418-5644

Year-End Data Deadlines

• December 2023: Preliminary cleanup lists will be sent to LHJ partners to get a head start on data cleanup.
• December 29, 2023: Last day to submit 2023 cases for counting.
• January 12, 2024: Limited provisional variables due for all 2023 cases.
• Early February 2024: Second round of data closeout line lists sent out.
• March 8, 2024: Final data deadline.
• Case data must be as complete as possible for 2023 cases.
• Contact investigation records for 2023 cases must be entered into WDRS and updated to be as complete as possible.
• Class B screening data should be as complete as possible.

This information and other resources are available on the TB Data Resources SharePoint page. Email [email protected] with any questions or concerns or to request access to the SharePoint.

CDC Rifampin 300mg Notice

As of October 1st, all rifampin 300mg shipped from DOH/King County Pharmacy will be filled using the Former CDC National Stockpile medications.

• All LHJs qualify for this supply. During this time, LHJs should not be buying rifampin 300mg. Please order as much as you need.

• This rifampin can be used for patients with active disease and LTBI.

• The full bottle expiration date is July 2024.

• Please note on your Medications Log that the rifampin you've received is from the CDC and not purchased using the 340B or MMCAP discount programs.

• The King County Pharmacy packing slip will also reflect this change: ** next to the rifampin, then lower on the sheet you will see “**Free CDC Meds**".

Order Form: Former CDC Medication Stockpile (sharepoint.com)

Nebulizer Starter Kits

DOH TB Program has obtained several starter kits for LHJs who do not receive federal TB funding through the State Consolidated Contract.

Each starter kit contains:

• 1 - nebulizer compressor
• 1 box of 60 count 4ml 7% Sodium Chloride inhalation solution
• 15 disposable tubes & mouthpieces.

One kit per LHJ. See TB Partners SharePoint for other applicable conditions.

Nebulizer Order Form on SharePoint

Upcoming Events and Education Opportunities

April 16-19, 2024 | 2024 Tuberculosis Conference

Save-the-date for the conference in Baltimore, MD, hosted by the National TB Controllers Association and The Union-North American Region. If you have any questions, please contact Sherry Brown (NTCA) at [email protected] or Menn Biagtan (The Union-NAR) at [email protected].

Washington's TB Project ECHO

On Tuesdays 12:30-1:30 pm PT, join our lunch-time virtual discussion about real TB cases with your peers. This free interactive event is guided by a panel of local TB experts. For more information about this local project and our partners who make this ongoing event possible.

SEATRAC Seminar Series

SEATRAC hosts and promotes seminars, one Friday session per month from 12 - 1 PM, focused on TB basic and clinical sciences by local trainees', local and visiting faculty, and special guests.

Articles



TB Notes 4, 2023

CDC Division of TB Elimination | 12/2023

Notes from the Field: Undiagnosed Tuberculosis During Pregnancy Resulting in a Neonatal Death — United States, 2021

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)| 12/2023 | doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7249a4

Costs of Digital Adherence Technologies for Tuberculosis Treatment Support, 2018–2021

Emerging Infectious Diseases | 1/2024 | doi: 10.3201/eid3001.230427

Tuberculosis Diagnostic Delays and Treatment Outcomes among Patients with COVID-19, California, USA, 2020

Emerging Infectious Diseases | 1/2024 | doi: 10.3201/eid3001.230924

Assessing patient satisfaction with video-supported therapy for drug-susceptible TB treatment

International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease | 12/2023 | doi: 10.5588/ijtld.23.0227

Video Recordings and Education Opportunities

TB Elimination Alliance

• *New Recording* 2023 TB Elimination Alliance Summit – Healthy Communities Free of TB

CITC Archived Webinars

CME/CE units will not be offered for these trainings. Access here.

• *New Recording* Navigating Mental Health and Tuberculosis: Soft Landing Please!

Rutgers TB Institute Webinar Archives

CE units are not available for these archives. Access here.

SNTC Archived Webinars

CME/CE units are not offered for these trainings. Access here.

SNTC Online Courses

CME/CE units are offered for these trainings. Access here.

• When TB is the Least of Their Worries: Mini-Course Series (expires 9/3/2025)

CDC: TB 101 for Health Care Workers

CE units expire on 11/6/2025 and are available at no cost. Access here.

TB ECHO Recorded Archives

Missed a TB ECHO^® session? TB ECHO^® has didactic presentations available for viewing on YouTube. Handouts related to the presentation are included where appropriate. Watch recorded TB ECHO® here

Tools and Resources



Minnesota's Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health

• Access helpful tools, trainings, and updates for newcomers and refugee health here.

CDC

• CDC Learning Connection.
• CDC TRAIN is a comprehensive catalog of free public health training opportunities from the Public Health Foundation. For TB-related trainings, click here.
• FindTBResources.cdc.gov - TB educational materials for patients and providers.
• Visit Everyday Words for Public Health Communication to find plain language alternatives for public health jargon.
• TB Personal Stories patient videos to help raise awareness about TB in the US.
• we are TB offers comprehensive peer support for current TB patients and TB clinics, including weekly live support group sessions.
• Subscribe to the CDC's quarterly newsletter, TB Notes!

DOH Refugee Health Program

• Afghan Health Resources - Fact sheets, webinars, videos, and other health resources (scroll down for TB resources).
• Ukrainian Health Resources - Fact sheets, webinars, videos, and other health resources to support new arrivals from Ukraine (scroll down for TB resources).

Southeastern National TB Center

• Individualized Country Guides

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