Tuberculosis Case Reporting

At a glance

Tuberculosis (TB) disease is a nationally notifiable disease, and reporting is mandated in all U.S. states.

Health care provider working on a computer.

Overview

Case reporting for TB disease

Tuberculosis has been a nationally notifiable disease since 1951. Today, CDC collects information about cases of TB disease electronically. TB disease case reporting is essential to help control and eventually eliminate TB disease in the United States.

CDC uses these data to:

  • Identify outbreaks of TB disease
  • Track best practices in treating TB disease
  • Monitor TB outcomes
  • Inform TB prevention and intervnetion giodance and policy
  • Monitor progress towards TB elimination in the United States

State and local TB programs use these data to inform TB activities at the local level. CDC also makes these data available to internal and external research partners to pursue research projects that add to the scientific and clinical understanding of TB in the United States.

Keep Reading: Data and Statistics

Case reporting for latent TB infection

Reporting cases of latent TB infection to CDC is optional. Some states and localities have developed legal reporting requirements for latent TB infection to track progress towards TB elimination, facilitate notification to state TB programs, and help local health departments treat latent TB infection to prevent TB disease. Contact your state or local TB program for the reporting requirements for your jurisdiction.

Other reporting requirements

Civil surgeons and panel physicians may have additional reporting requirements. Refer to the technical instructions for more information:


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