Tuberculosis Control ProgramDHEC's Division of Tuberculosis control is responsible for protecting the citizens of South Carolina from the communicable disease tuberculosis (TB). TB is not a disease of the past: it is the single largest infectious cause of death in the world, killing about three million people every year, despite being both preventable and curable. In South Carolina, TB remains a major public health threat with an average of about 300 new cases each year. South Carolina has consistently ranked among the top 10 states nationally in the number of new cases per 100,000 people. TB, if left untreated, can result in a 50 percent mortality rate.

DHEC attempts to protect the citizens by case finding, treating both TB and latent TB, identifying and testing of individuals exposed to TB, and screening and testing persons who might have a high risk of getting the disease.

For those who are infected, the TB program helps patients take their medications correctly. Staff ensure that recommended treatment is followed (Directly Observed Treatment [DOT]), contract hospitalization for the medically indigent, provide social work services, and maintain a central case register.

DHEC also is proactive in the development of regulations to protect the public, enforcement of tuberculosis control laws, including required reporting of confirmed and suspected cases. When necessary, we direct the use of court-ordered supervised treatment and institutional quarantine.