Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention, Control and Elimination Program

General Information

The Tuberculosis Prevention, Control, and Elimination Program aims to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) within Nevada’s diverse communities and institutions. All individuals with newly diagnosed TB disease are ensured patient-centered best practice treatment and case management. To reduce the morbidity and mortality of TB disease, identification of and preventative treatment for individuals at high-risk for latent TB infection (LTBI) and progression to TB disease are actively promoted by the Program.

• CDC TB Basics
  • TB Symptoms and Signs
  • Exposure to TB

Healthcare Provider: TB Risk Assessment and THINK. TEST. TREAT TB.

Nevada's public health systems are calling on Nevada healthcare providers, MDs, RNs, APRNs, DOs, PAs, to help eliminate TB in our communities. 

- U.S.-born persons are at greatest risk of latent TB infection (LTBI)in Nevada and potential for breakdown and progression to TB disease.

- Greater than 80% of Nevada cases are breakdown of longstanding latent TB infection.

THINK: Implement an individual TB Risk Assessment Tool for every patient.

TEST: TB blood test all persons with a risk for TB infection.

TREAT: All persons identified with latent TB infection should be encouraged to take LTBI treatment and managed in the healthcare provider's practice (not referred to public health).

• Latent TB Training for Primary Care -Free CME and Online
• Nevada TB Risk Assessment Tool
• TB Risk Assessment Fact Sheet
• Concerning TB Trends in NV and Guidance for Healthcare
• Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment

Nevada Initiative for Rapid Detection of M. tuberculosis Using NAATs

In 2022, the Nevada TB Program, which includes the local health department TB programs and the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory, implemented an initiative to increase the use of rapid molecular/DNA tests (the NAAT or PCR type tests) for earlier detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. NAATs should be the standard of care for patients in whom a diagnosis of respiratory tuberculosis is being considered but not yet established. A Technical Bulletin, released April 2022, and a slide presentation, released July 2022, have been published to describe uses and interpretations of NAATs for effective use in rapid M. tb detection.

• Technical Bulletin_Using NAATs Effectively for MTB Detection
• Slide Presentation: Using NAATs Effectively for Rapid MTB Detection

Primary Functions of the Tuberculosis Prevention, Control and Elimination Program

• Identify every TB disease case in Nevada and assure rapid TB disease reporting, treatment, and prevention activities are conducted, as well as required surveillance and genotyping data management;

   

• Identify all individuals at high-risk for acquiring latent TB infection (LTBI) and progressing to active TB disease through appropriate diagnostic testing (see Providers > LTBI Toolbox) and LTBI reporting;

   

• Encourage LTBI treatment (see Providers > LTBI Toolbox) for individuals with high-risk of progression to TB disease;

   

• Develop policy for TB control and prevention activities based on the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations;

   

• Collect, analyze, and disseminate TB data;

   

• Foster collaboration, coordination, and education between state, local, and federal programs and community partners, providers, and the general public;

   

• Promote TB awareness and outreach throughout the state.