A Florida school has a tuberculosis case. Here are 7 takeaways on the disease
A high school in Broward County has reported an active tuberculosis case, highlighting the ongoing presence of a serious yet treatable disease. While TB cases in the U.S. have increased since the pandemic, the country still maintains a low infection risk overall.
FULL STORY: Florida has seen a rise in tuberculosis cases. How the infection can be stopped
Here are the highlights:
Tuberculosis, also known as TB, is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other organs, including the brain and kidneys. The disease spreads through inhaling respiratory droplets from an infected person.
The U.S. has seen a rise in TB cases since 2021, with Florida recording over 600 cases in 2024, making it the fourth-highest state for TB infections.
Tuberculosis can be either latent or active. Inactive TB isn’t contagious and shows no symptoms, while active TB is contagious and presents symptoms such as a persistent cough and or blood upon coughing.
People with weakened immune systems, those working in high-risk environments such as hospitals and prisons, and those spending extended time with someone with active TB are at higher risk of infection.
The U.S. recorded 10,347 TB cases in 2024, an 8% increase from 2023, attributed to post-pandemic healthcare disruptions and increased travel.
Common symptoms of TB include a persistent cough, chest pain, and night sweats. Anyone exposed to TB or experiencing symptoms should seek medical advice.
While a TB vaccine exists, it is not commonly administered in the U.S. because of low infection risk and concerns about its effectiveness and potential for false positive results.
Take a look at the tuberculosis numbers in Florida and the rest of the U.S. by hovering over each state.
The summary points were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by Miami Herald journalists.
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 7:17 AM.