Compliance is vital to contain deadly tuberculosis

By KATHERINE HOBY

The recently highlighted case of a Northland woman with tuberculosis who allegedly refused to take her medication has highlighted the fact that the deadly disease still plagues New Zealand.

The woman was apparently refusing to take her medication on the advice of an alternative health practitioner.

The Northland Health medical officer, Dr Jonathan Jarman, said the woman was risking the health of family and friends, as well as her own health and wellbeing.

It was very important that people with TB took their medication, to prevent the spread of the disease.

Although the disease is largely eliminated in the western world, it is still the world's leading infectious disease.

There were 356 cases of tuberculosis in New Zealand last year, according to Ministry of Health provisional figures.

In 1999, there were 452 cases - a 20-year high.

Dr Jarman said complacency about the disease might prevent people from seeking treatment, which also put others at risk.

One man, among the most recent tuberculosis cases, had a cough for six months before he went to a doctor, he said.

Worldwide, there are about 8 million new cases of TB a year, resulting in 1.98 million deaths annually.

The Government launched a healthy housing project last month in Auckland.

Under the scheme, almost 1000 state houses were to be built, extended, or modified to reduce overcrowding, which is believed to have contributed to the high occurrence of illnesses, including TB.

* Information about tuberculosis can be obtained from the Ministry of Health website - or contact your local public health unit, medical officer of health (every region has one) or your doctor.