TB clinics launched to the Mid-West

IN THE lead up to World TB Day, Public Health Mid-West and St John’s Hospital have teamed up to launch its official TB contact tracing, testing and monitoring clinic, for the people of the Mid-West to receive free antibiotics if found to have TB, at the Limerick City hospital.

This clinic will serve as an effective dual benefit to both the individual and the community. The contact tracing process is crucial in preventing TB from developing in individuals who avail of this service. This service is also a key element in preventing the spread of TB in the community.

The new Mid-West MyContact Clinic, will operate up to two days a week, will identify and screen close contacts of TB patients, and treat those that are identified through this process as having Latent TB Infection (LTBI), or asymptomatic TB. 

Untreated LTBI can remain dormant for years, but can reactivate when the body’s immune system can no longer suppress it, which can happen in elderly or vulnerable people with weak immune systems. If untreated, this can be fatal.

According to provisional data, there have been 204 TB cases detected in the Mid-West region between 2012 and 2022. There were 21 cases in 2022. There have been fewer than five cases to date this year. 

TB is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs, but can also affect the kidney, spine, and brain. It is a curable and preventable disease that can be treated with antibiotics.

Dr Marie Casey, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at Public Health Mid-West, said: "The launch of our contact tracing and LTBI treatment clinic in St Johns is a hugely welcome development for the region. Over the last century in Ireland there have been huge improvements in the treatment and prevention of TB.

"We in Public Health continue to actively work to prevent spread of this disease and ensure the gains we have made over the years are not lost. The WHO estimates that close to one quarter of the world’s population are infected with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, which means that this effort will need to continue into the future." 

Michelle Rogers, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operations at St John’s Hospital, said: "We are delighted to launch the Mid-West Mycontact Clinic, which will be a safe space for those using the service in the heart of Limerick City.

"It is a privilege to work with Public Health and colleagues across the health service in enhancing community awareness on this disease, and how we can serve Limerick and the Mid-West."