Karwar: The health department regularly conducts several awareness programmes about the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and makes efforts to eliminate the disease. However, the number of TB cases is not coming down in Uttara Kannada district.

In a period of just two months between January and February itself, as many as six people have died of TB in the district. As per the records of the Health Department, as many as 5,187 people have undergone the sputum test in the same period and of them, 206 suffered from the disease and underwent treatment. Of them, five patients discontinued the treatment and seven people suffered from Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

5,143 patients, 308 deaths

In the last five years (from 2014 to 2018), as many as 308 people have died of TB in the district. As they had not sought suitable treatment in the first stage of the disease, they suffered from Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) which need second-line treatment. But as the treatment options in this stage are limited, the patients died, said a report of the health department.

In the last five years, 64,702 people have undergone sputum test and TB was detected in 5,143 people. Of them, 4,278 people underwent complete treatment while 254 people discontinued the treatment. 88 cases of MDR were confirmed. “As per the figures available with the health department, the number of TB cases is quite less when compared to other districts in the State. However, the district is still not TB-free and so, awareness programmes are being held. The number of cases can come down only when people are aware,” said District TB Control Officer Mahabaleshwar Hegde.

Hegde said that people, who come across TB-like symptoms, should not neglect. They must rush to the nearest hospital and must undergo tests to check for TB. The disease can be detected either by two sputum tests or even X-Ray report. In case, a person is diagnosed with active, drug-susceptible TB disease, he can be treated with a standard six-month course of four antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer.

'Do not neglect symptoms'

Health Department officials explain that the common symptoms of active lung TB are constant cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, breathing problems, fever at nights, and night sweats. Sputum test must be conducted even if a person suffers from one of these symptoms. Proper treatment must be availed in case TB is confirmed. If neglected, the person will himself suffer and also spread the disease to the family and the community.