TB RATES in Cork and Kerry are above the national average, the HSE Regional Health Forum South learned this week.
While the numbers of newly-diagnosed cases of TB are falling both locally and nationally, Cork rates remain above the national average and have been consistently above this for the past
decade and a half.
The most recently available figures, from 2014, count 65 cases of the disease in Cork, equating to 9.8 cases per 100,000. Nationally the incidence rate is 6.9 per 100,000, or 318.
Calling for an urgent public information campaign on the causes of and risk factors for tuberculosis, Cork County Councillor Deirdre Forde said that the figures provided by the HSE are not in line with anecdotal evidence she has heard, indicating that there has been an increase in cases locally in recent times.
“From the tables, I note that it is on a decline, but that is not what I am hearing out in the public domain.
“I hear from people that there is a huge increase in TB. When I don’t have immediate stats I would have no faith because my information is that there has been a huge increase in TB.”
The Carrigaline/Ballincollig councillor called for up-to-date numbers to be made available.
“I’m quite concerned that there are people walking around in our communities throughout the country and particularly in the Cork region who have this disease and may be potentially
affecting others.
“Surely to goodness as this disease is so contagious it would be preferable to have up-to-date stats. In effect, if there is a huge increase, we’re not aware of it and we’re not
tackling it.”
Ms Forde added a call for a national campaign on television to make people aware of TB and of preventative measures.
Addressing her question, Ger Reaney, chief officer for Area 4 Community Care stated: “There is no indication of an increase in the period since 2014, so I have no reason to believe the picture is
anything other than what has been set out.”
Mr Reaney argued that measures put in place in relation to screening, isolation, and treatment of someone who is identified as having TB “are significant and are quite resource-intensive so I am not clear that there is anything additional that can be done to identify TB any earlier or to prevent the spread of that”.
He added: “Where we are today in terms of falling rates and the relatively minuscule rates compared to what they would have been a generation or two ago, is the outcome of health professionals and health responses as well as other measures.
“While TB continues to be a threat, it is a falling threat, and one that receives considerable focus from our public health doctors and wider health professionals.”
Mr Reaney could not say why the rate of disease was consistently higher in Cork and Kerry but stated that he would inquire. He agreed that public information about TB is important, but added that the requirement for public awareness campaigns “needs to stack up with other public awareness campaigns” being run by the health service.
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