How many people have TB?

•     In the last five years in South Carolina, we have had an average of 85 tuberculosis disease cases.
•     Worldwide, TB is the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19.
•     A total of 1.3 million people worldwide died from TB in 2022.

How long has TB been around?

• TB has been around for a long time. It has been found in Egyptian mummies at least 5,400 years old.
• TB has been called consumption. In the early 1800s TB may have caused about 1/3 of all deaths.

Investigation Updates

July 24, 2018

DHEC has confirmed a case of tuberculosis (TB) in someone associated with the West Ashley High School in Charleston County. DHEC is working closely with school leaders to identify members of the school community who may have been exposed and need TB testing. This process is called a "TB contact investigation." DHEC has communicated this information to parents and staff and will continue to keep the school community updated on next steps.

The previous Regulation 61-22, The Evaluation of School Employees for Tuberculosis required employees of public or private school, kindergarten, nursery or child care center for infants and children required a two-step prior to employment and an annual screening.

DHEC provides tuberculosis screening only for TB suspects/cases, and contacts to a TB case.

Tuberculosis Facts (English)

DHEC Tuberculosis Control Section 

dph.sc.gov
Phone: 803-898-0558
Fax: 803-898-0685

Division Director
Amy Painter, RN, BSN

State TB Medical Consultant
Dr. F. Richard Ervin

Nurse Consultants
Candace Solomon, RN, MSN
Kendra Walker, MSN, RN

Program Administrator
Katie Waites, MPH

Surveillance Coordinator
Yolanda Jacobs, AS

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease found primarily in the lungs. It is spread from person to person through the air. Persons who have tuberculosis in their lungs cough the bacteria into the air and others become infected by breathing in the bacteria. These persons now have latent TB. Without treatment for latent TB infection, approximately 10 percent of the persons who become infected will develop tuberculosis disease sometime in their lifetime. The remaining 90 percent of the people with latent TB carry the bacteria for a lifetime without developing the disease.