About half of nursing facility workers are infected with latent tuberculosis. Still, the government has slashed the budget for latent TB screening for these workers for this year and next, narrowing the chances of its early detection and treatment.
According to a report Rep. Choi Bo-yoon of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) received from the Korean National Tuberculosis Association, the number of TB patients in Korea totaled 19,540 last year, ranking second in incidence among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries. It is equivalent to 38.2 per 100,000 people.
The declining rate of TB cases hovered between 10.8 and 19.4 percent from 2019 to 2022 but slowed sharply to 4.1 percent in 2023 after the Covid-19 pandemic ended. This year, it is also projected to be below 5 percent.
The government has set a goal of reducing the number of TB cases per 100,000 people to 20 or fewer by 2027 and 10 or fewer by 2030, which requires a 17 percent annual decline.
Latent TB infection rates are exceptionally high among nursing facility workers.
As of the end of August this year, tests of 15,076 teachers and workers at care facilities, such as maternity homes, child welfare centers, and medical institutions, showed a 40.8 percent positive rate for latent TB, more than double the 18.0 percent for those who receive general medical screening.
However, the government has cut all funding for latent TB screening among care facility workers this year and next, making it more difficult to detect and treat TB patients early.
Latent TB infection is a potential risk factor for developing active TB, so early detection and preemptive treatment is critical. Nursing facility workers are especially at risk of spreading TB to vulnerable populations, including infants and young children, and thorough screening and treatment are essential to prevent transmission.
“It is very concerning that the government has cut the entire budget for TB screening for nursing facility workers when the incidence of TB among them is significantly higher than the general population,” Rep. Choi said. “That could pose a serious public health risk by leaving vulnerable populations untreated.”
Choi continued, “To achieve the national goal of eradicating TB, it is urgent to establish a regular screening system for high-risk groups and secure a budget. The government must be proactive by expanding manpower and budget to shed the stigma of being a TB-backward country.”
Latent TB screening of care facility workers last year showed that 14,645 people, or 25.8 percent of the 41,000 people tested, were found to be positive for latent TB, and there were nine active TB cases.