Geumcheon-gu Offers Free Latent Tuberculosis Infection Screening for Elderly Facility Workers

Free Latent Tuberculosis Infection Screening for Elderly Care Facility Workers Caring Directly for Seniors
Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment Can Prevent Up to 90% of Active TB Cases
Facilities Wishing to Participate in Screening Can Apply by Phone or Visit the Health Policy Division in July

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yu Seong-hoon) announced that it will conduct free latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screenings for workers at elderly care facilities over three days on July 10, 11, and 16 to prevent and manage tuberculosis in the local community.

Latent tuberculosis infection refers to a state where a person is infected with the tuberculosis bacteria but shows no symptoms and does not expel the bacteria externally, making it non-contagious. However, if immunity weakens, it can develop into active tuberculosis, so it is important to prevent tuberculosis onset through appropriate testing and treatment.

Elderly care facilities are places where seniors aged 65 and older, who have a higher tuberculosis prevalence compared to other age groups, live for extended periods. Since tuberculosis outbreaks can lead to group infections, it is necessary to screen facility workers for latent tuberculosis infection and provide proper treatment management. Treating latent tuberculosis infection can prevent up to 90% of tuberculosis cases.

The screenings will be conducted for workers at elderly welfare facilities and long-term care hospitals in the area that wish to participate.

The latent tuberculosis infection test is performed through a blood test. If the result is positive, detailed services such as chest X-rays to determine active tuberculosis status, linkage to latent tuberculosis infection treatment centers, and medication management will be provided.

Facilities wishing to participate in the screening can apply by phone or visit the Geumcheon-gu Health Policy Division.

Since March, the district has been providing free tuberculosis screenings for seniors using elderly welfare facilities.

Mayor Yu Seong-hoon stated, “Through latent tuberculosis infection screening and treatment, we can reduce the risk of developing tuberculosis later and block the risk of transmitting tuberculosis to others,” adding, “We will continue to expand screening opportunities in vulnerable blind spots to create a tuberculosis-safe Geumcheon-gu.”