CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Cuba Is among Countries with Lowest Incidence of Tuberculosis

CUBA, March 16, 2011.- The National Program against Tuberculosis (TB), created in the 60’s, has placed Cuba among TB lowest incidence countries in the Americas.

The member of the Group on Respiratory Diseases of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), Doctor Antonio Marrero, told the press that Canada, the United States, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Chile and Cuba register the lowest incidence of this disease in the Americas.

Marrero explained that every year there are about 780 cases of TB, which might be the result of smoking, drinking alcohol, suffering from diabetes or HIV-AIDS, and age.

He noted that Cuba developed the BCG vaccine , which protects children under two years old from the more serious forms of the disease; however, its effect doesn’t last forever and that’s why experts insist on prevention.

The doctor pointed out that in case of contagion; early diagnosis and proper treatment ––which lasts about six months–– lead to the cure. Doctor Ana María Chalgub said that a series of activities will take place in the province of Matanzas, on the occasion of the World Day Against TB, on March 24.

Among infectious diseases, TB is the second cause of deaths among adults worldwide, with more than 2 million deaths annually. It is transmitted through the air like common cold, and generally affects the lungs and other organs such as the brain, the kidneys or the spine. (CUBAMINREX-ACN)

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