World TB Day and Infection Control Resources in New York City to Help Prevent New Cases

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health) warns that tuberculosis (TB) is still a life-threatening problem in the city. As recently as 2022, the agency reports there were 536 confirmed TB cases, including some involving multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB, and that 100% of NYC neighborhoods had at least one TB case.

TB is caused by a bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis that typically attacks the lungs, but can also attack other parts of the body. The disease can be spread from a person with the disease of the lungs or throat through the air from one person to another when they cough, sneeze, speak, or sing. This occurs when people nearby breathe in the bacteria and then become infected. This is why transmission can be a significant risk in healthcare environments and other places where many people share the same space for extended periods of time.

“Just last fall, multiple media outlets reported that New York City was struggling to contain a dramatic increase in TB cases,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “By early October, there were already 500 cases of active tuberculosis, about a 20% increase from the same time the previous year.”

To raise awareness and educate the public about the impact of TB, and to enhance efforts to prevent new cases of the disease, March 24^th is recognized as World TB Day. CTSI supports the efforts of World TB Day with infection control testing and consulting services. In addition to air testing utilizing highly sensitive real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques to help to stop the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, CTSI also helps to mitigate exposure risks through their expertise in mechanical ventilation, engineering controls, and other methods to protect patients, workers, and building occupants in healthcare environments and other high-risk locations.

To learn more about this or other infection control, indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety services, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com , or call (212) 971-7016.

About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective expert solutions. This commitment has been furthered with CTSI’s reputation in fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself in utilizing a high quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals’ concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail