Queens Has The Most New Tuberculosis Cases, Health Dept. Says

QUEENS, NY — Queens has the highest number of new tuberculosis cases of the five boroughs, according to new data released by the city. More than a third of new tuberculosis cases last year were in Queens, the NYC Health Department found.

Queens accounted for 37 percent of all new TB diagnoses in 2018, the data show — the most of the five boroughs.

The highest rate of tuberculosis in Queens was in an area of western Queens that includes Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona, according to a spokesperson for the health department. That area saw about 14 cases of TB per 100,000 people last year, which was double the citywide rate.

Last year, 559 people citywide were diagnosed with tuberculosis, an eight-percent drop from 2017, according to the agency. Most people diagnosed with TB were born outside the United States.

“Following the rise in tuberculosis cases that we saw in 2017, we are pleased to see our case count decline," Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot said. "This success is a credit to the Health Department’s TB prevention and control efforts."

Anyone who experiences a cough for more than three weeks or has spent time around someone with TB should ask for a test, Barbot said.

The health department offers free and confidential TB testing, treatment and care at its TB Chest Centers. The agency also offers home-based testing for people who may have been exposed to TB.Services are available regardless of immigration or insurance status.

Last year, the clinics saw nearly 8,000 patients for TB-related services.

The health department plans to host educational and TB testing events in western Queens in May and June.