According to the CDC, the number of TB cases and incidence in the U.S. has steadily declined since 1993. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), TB occurs in every part of the world and is still a major concern in many locations. In 2022, the largest number of new TB cases (incidence) occurred in South-East Asia (46% of new cases), followed by regions in Africa (23% of new cases), and the Western Pacific (18% of new cases).2 Persons at higher risk for exposure to and infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis include:
- Frequent travelers to areas of the world where tuberculosis is endemic
- Residents and employees of high-risk congregate settings such as correctional facilities, long-term care facilities, and homeless shelters
- HCWs who serve high-risk patients or who have a lack of proper protection to prevent exposure
- Medically underserved and low-income populations
- Infants, children, and adolescents exposed to adults in high-risk categories
