Maine reports 3 active TB cases, the deadliest infectious disease in the world
The latest update from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that there are currently three active cases of tuberculosis in the state. The agency is working diligently to contain the spread of the disease, particularly in the Portland Greater area where the cases have been identified. Lindsay Hammes, a spokesperson for the Maine CDC, stated that efforts are underway to test individuals who may have been in contact with the infected patients.
In a concerning development, five deaths have been reported in a big city due to a bacterial infection outbreak. While tuberculosis is not as contagious as the flu or COVID-19, it remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, claiming over a million lives each year, according to the World Health Organization.
In California, a high school student has tested positive for an active case of tuberculosis but is receiving treatment and is expected to make a full recovery. Similarly, another active case was reported at a secondary school in Michigan last week.
Neurological symptoms transmitted by the tuberculosis bacteria have been diagnosed in the northeastern state, signaling a resurgence of the disease after a decline in 2020. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an increase in tuberculosis cases in 2021, a trend that has continued into this year.
Despite the rise in cases, the State CDC in Maine has clarified that there is no outbreak of tuberculosis in the state, with a total of 28 cases reported so far this year. Symptoms of the disease include a persistent cough, chest pain, fever, and fatigue, although not all infected individuals may display these signs.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can also target other organs. It is spread through the air from person to person and can be treated with antibiotics. Health officials recommend wearing protective masks and practicing good hand hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Fox News.
