Tuberculosis |
Tuberculosis is described as the white plague and kills
more people in the world than any other infectious disease.
Since the discovery of antibiotics back in the 1940s,
improved living conditions, and sanatoriums, the incidence
of tuberculosis declined.
A resurgence of the disease has occurred worldwide, with the
migration of people from third world countries and overcrowded
refugee camps. Declining health resources and decreasing
socio-economic standards, together with the discovery of
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and itinerant travellers
have contributed
to the increase of tuberculosis around the world. Sanatariums are also
a thing of the past, no longer do we seclude people for months on end, as
treatment with antibiotics allows people to continue
living in their homes.
In the early 1980s some cases of tuberculosis were found to be
multi-drug resistant. This has affected the way the tuberculosis can
be treated.
Tuberculosis knows no boundaries or social
class, it can affect anyone of any age.
There were 324 notifications of Tuberculosis in 1999 throughout
Victoria and one case reported in the Gippsland region.
The Department of Human Services Victoria note an increase
of 36% from 1998 compared to a 50% reduction in the
Gippsland region.
The western metropolitan area of Victoria has the largest incidence
reported at 114 notifications. This is primarily due to
the number of immigrants from Asia, Africa, Europe and the
Middle East. This has been attributed to an increased number of refugees and
overseas students. Changes to visa procedures for overseas students
in 1999 now require them to undergo a medical examination
and a chest X-ray. Males 25 - 29 years were noted to be at highest risk.
48% of reported cases in 1999 were pulmomary tuberculosis, which is the most
predominant site of infection. 26% was of the lymphatic system, the second
most common site. Peritoneal tuberculosis was detected
in 8 people of African and Indian origin.
General
Demographics
