PublishTime：2025-04-02
To align with the theme of World Tuberculosis Day 2025, "Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver," the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) continues to advocate the importance of tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control and to reaffirm the country’s commitment to advancing toward the goal of eliminating TB. Additionally, Taiwan CDC has been actively seeking funding for the implementation of prevention and control policies and programs and has been working together with various sectors to carry out efforts to achieve the goal of ending TB.
In observance of World Tuberculosis Day 2025, Taiwan CDC today (March 24) held a press conference titled "Raise Your Hand for Testing, Say Goodbye to Tuberculosis" in collaboration with the health departments in 22 counties and cities to promote the importance of testing for and treating latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Starting March 24 and lasting for the next two months (March 24 through May 24), individuals who have previously been exposed to TB are eligible to undergo LTBI testing free of charge. Taiwan CDC also reminded those who test positive to contact public health personnel and begin LTBI treatment, which is key to preventing the disease and protecting their health. Additionally, individuals who undergo LTBI testing and treatment during this period can participate in a lucky draw. More details can be found on the Taiwan CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw), via Taiwan CDC’s Line chatbot Disease Control Butler, or by calling the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 0800-001922. You can also follow the official Taiwan CDC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TWCDC/?locale=zh\_TW for more TB-related information and lucky draw details.
Taiwan CDC Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang stated that Taiwan's TB prevention and control efforts have made significant progress over the years, thanks to the joint efforts of central and local governments, healthcare and care institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the public. These efforts include health education and prevention, testing, proactive intervention for high-risk groups, patient-centered case management, and contact tracing, management, and intervention, all of which have contributed to Taiwan’s progress in TB prevention and control. In 2024, the estimated incidence rate of new TB cases in Taiwan was 27 per 100,000 population (6,222 individuals), a 63% reduction compared to 2005, when the incidence rate was 73 per 100,000 population (16,472 individuals). In addition to identifying and treating TB patients, the government has recently been actively promoting LTBI testing and treatment for high-risk groups. By Offering proactive treatment to individuals with latent TB infection before they develop active TB disease, it provides over 90% protection against progression, effectively reducing TB incidence. In 2024, a total of 115,547 people received LTBI testing, and 13,791 of those who tested positive began LTBI treatment.
President Yu Ming-chih of the Taiwan Anti-Tuberculosis Association urged people to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as a cough lasting more than two weeks, chest pain, weight loss, or fever or if they have abnormal chest X-ray results. He also reminded the public that TB is a treatable disease and that individuals diagnosed with TB must undergo complete their full course of treatment and follow their doctor's prescribed medication regimen. Furthermore, Chairman Wang Jann-yuan of the Taiwan Society of Tuberculosis and Pulmonary Diseases explained that having LTBI means the person has been infected with the TB bacteria and may develop active TB in the future without treatment. Certain groups such as contacts of TB patients, individuals with weakened immune systems, indigenous people living in mountainous areas, residents of care facilities, and individuals with comorbid conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease requiring dialysis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, should pay special attention. He encouraged people to get tested and treated early to prevent progression to active disease, which can affect their health and spread to family and friends.