The number of tuberculosis cases in New York City increased by 10 percent over the past year, according to the 2017 Tuberculosis Annual Report from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).

To effectively prevent, diagnose, and treat patients with TB, DOHMH encourages providers to:

• Test patients for TB if they are at high risk of infection or development of active TB disease;
• Rule out active TB disease by using chest imaging in all patients with positive tests for TB infection or TB symptoms (fever, cough, hemoptysis, night sweats, weight loss, etc.)
• Use new, shorter regimens to treat latent tuberculosis infection;
• Report all confirmed or suspected cases of TB, and all children under five years old with a positive test for TB infection to DOHMH within 24 hours;
• Refer patients with TB to a DOHMH TB Clinic for free treatment;
• Seek consultation from TB experts by calling the DOHMH TB Hotline if needed.

To report TB cases to DOHMH providers should contact the TB Provider Hotline toll-free at 844.713.0559. A list of DOHMH TB Clinics are available here.

Providers can refer to the DOHMH health advisory located here for more information about the screening, testing, and treatment of TB. The full 2017 Tuberculosis Annual Report is located here.