He Ministry of Health reported that the number of cases of tuberculosis (T.B.) recorded in recent years are due to the “active search and improvement diagnostic with rapid molecular tests”, recommended actions to control the disease and cut the chain of transmission, in order to reduce the incidence of new cases and coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The institution states that the T.B. continues to be a great challenge worldwide, due to its transmission mechanism and its link to the social determinants of health.
However, the country has been considered by the Pan American Organization of Health (OPS) as a reference in tuberculosis in the Region of the Americas and the Caribbean, for the good implementation of disease prevention and management programs.
“In the country, in the year 20234,650 cases of tuberculosis of which 940, 20%, were co-infected cases of tuberculosis and HIV and a success was reported treatment of 80% for new cases, which places the Dominican Republic as a medium-burden country within the countries of the region,” explains Health Public in a press document.
Treatment
He reported that, every year, the government allocates over 200 million pesos for treatment directly observed and diagnosisbased on molecular tests that contribute to obtaining results in about two hours, which has been reflected in effective control of the disease.
In addition, the medicationsboth for the tuberculosis sensitive as well as resistant, in more than 500 establishments of health.
This year they have been notified 313 cases, which shows a decrease compared to the previous year, when there were 414.
Cases notified in the Cove and areas surrounding
In relation to the cases notified in Area I of Healthspecifically as it pertains to the community of The Cove and areas surroundingthe ministry said they are “within the expected parameters.” He assured that all cases notified are in treatment and the interventions routine, such as census and evaluation of contacts and administration of preventive therapy in those that apply.
“Hence there is no risk of outbreaks in the areathe T.B. in the area is controlled and the actions correspond to the interventions that must be carried out around a case with diagnosis positive for the disease,” the Institution indicated.
The total of people with diagnosis of T.B. in that area there are 26 so far this year, four cases less than in the 2023when 30 people were reported with diagnosis positive.
Vaccines
He Ministry of Health reiterated that the vaccine Calmette-Guérin bacillus (BCG) is applied to all newborns to prevent tuberculosis severely in children under five years of age and coverage exceeds 98%.
Statistics
Worldwide, each year it is estimated that approximately 10.6 million people who get sick from tuberculosis and 1.3 million die from this cause; Of them, 167 thousand had coinfection with the HIVmaking it one of the ten main causes of death and the main one due to a single infectious agent (above the HIV/AIDS. In addition to this, the tuberculosis It became the second infectious disease that caused the most deaths worldwide after COVID-19.
Measures preventive
To prevent the disease, it is necessary to apply the vaccine BCGwhich protects against severe forms of tuberculosis.
He Ministry calls for covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your forearm when coughing or sneezing. Properly dispose of the used tissue, wash your hands with soap and water frequently, see a doctor if you have a cough and cold for more than 15 days. Consume healthy and balanced foods to strengthen the immune system and avoid the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and psychoactive drugs, vapes and hookah.
