Tuberculosis Surveillance in a State Prison System.

TUBERCULIN test; MEDICAL screening; INSTITUTIONALIZED persons; PRISONS; CORRECTIONAL institutions; MEDICAL care; GOVERNMENT policy

NEW Mexico; UNITED States

Abstract: After four inmates at two New Mexico prisons converted their tuberculosis skin tests, a mass screening program was carried out at all of the State's adult correctional facilities (2,240 inmates). Previously unknown converters were found with a disproportionally high per ¢ of converters (6.8 per ¢ and 6.3 per ¢) and reactors (14.4 per ¢ and 12.2 per ¢) at the first two prisons. No index cases were found. State policy has been revised to include two-stage skin testing of new inmates, annual testing thereafter, and screening of all new correctional staff. 507-509.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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