Tuberculosis Control Program
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the 
lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
Related Links:
CDC Recommendations for Latent Tuberculosis Infection:
www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/LTBI/pdf/TargetedLTBI.pdf
California Department of Public Health Tuberculosis Program:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/tb/Pages/default.aspx
As of January 1, 1994, the new State tuberculosis regulations were in effect. The amended sections of the California Health and Safety Code are designed to improve the timeliness and completeness of case reporting and assure continuity of care. The following are key changes derived from the California Health and Safety Code.
REPORTING AND CASE MANAGEMENT UPDATES
Section 121362. Requires that each health care provider, each person in charge of a health care facility, and each person in charge of a clinic providing outpatient care for TB shall make a case report to the county TB Control Program within 24 hours if a person is suspected of, or has active tuberculosis. In addition,
1.) treatment updates must be filed with the TB Program at least every three months until the patient has completed the recommended TB treatment and
2.) prompt notification to the TB Program shall be made after determining that the patient has missed follow-up appointments, changed physicians, or moved to another county before their TB treatment is completed.
DISCHARGE OR TRANSFER
Section 121361. A health facility, local detention facility or State correctional institution shall not discharge, transfer or release a patient until notification and a written plan has been submitted and approved by the county TB Control Program for the following:
1.) any person known to have active tuberculosis disease
2.) any person who is suspected to have active tuberculosis disease.
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA CITATION AND FINE REGULATION
California Health and Safety Code Section 120250 and California Code of Regulations Section 2500 state a physician is required to report communicable diseases as listed under Title 17. Failure to report includes incomplete or delayed reports. The Medical Board of California may cite and fine any physician reported to them under Section 1364.10, .11 and .15 of Division 13 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.
IMPLEMENTATION
Individuals should be reported as soon as there is a high index of suspicion of active disease; do not wait for positive smears or cultures. Prompt reporting enables Monterey County’s TB Control Program to offer the appropriate level of case management and to institute timely contact investigations and follow-up.
! REPORT NEWLY SUSPECTED OR ACTIVE TB CASES WITHIN 24 HOURS.
! COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE TUBERCULOSIS PATIENT PLAN FOR REVIEW AT LEAST 2 FULL BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE PATIENT’S ANTICIPATED TRANSFER OR DISCHARGE.
REPORT TO: Monterey County TB Control (831) 755-4593 FAX (831) 796-1272 (TB Unit)
The Tuberculosis Confidential Morbidity Report Click Here
For more information - CDHS/CTCA Joint Guidelines for Reporting Tuberculosis Suspects and Cases in California
TB182 (03/26/13)
Click Here
