Public Health Minister Shona Robison has unveiled a new action plan after it emerged that the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Scotland is rising.
Ms Robison said: "Many people think of tuberculosis as a disease of yesteryear but that's no longer true.
"In recent years we have started to see a small but important increase in the incidence of TB.
"Scotland has played a significant part in tackling TB in the past and this action plan aims to address the situation we face now.
"There are various reasons why the number of cases may be increasing, including the emergence of drug-resistant strains, the continued prevalence of HIV and increased movement of people between countries."
The plan is designed to help health professionals treat the disease and sets out a number of ways Scotland can tackle the problem. This includes increasing the effectiveness of laboratory services and diagnostic tests, as well as clinical services, surveillance and contact tracing and public health services, including neonatal immunisation.
Ms Robison added: "The action plan will ensure we adopt a comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach to tackling TB - from surveillance and diagnosis through to effective treatment and public health services.
"By doing this, we are optimistic that we can stabilise the incidence of TB in Scotland and significantly reduce the burden of ill-health caused by this serious disease."
TB specialist nurse Susan Duthie said the plan will help provide the best treatment for sufferers of TB.
She added: "We must continue to raise awareness about TB with the public and indeed other professionals so they know that it is a curable disease when medication is taken regularly, they know who to contact and where people can be screened or investigated for TB at as early a stage as possible, and of course where to get general information and advice about TB."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5i5VEInm33auztFnqYoTqMN0DvmrQ?docId=N0132471300719057352A
Ms Robison said: "Many people think of tuberculosis as a disease of yesteryear but that's no longer true.
"In recent years we have started to see a small but important increase in the incidence of TB.
"Scotland has played a significant part in tackling TB in the past and this action plan aims to address the situation we face now.
"There are various reasons why the number of cases may be increasing, including the emergence of drug-resistant strains, the continued prevalence of HIV and increased movement of people between countries."
The plan is designed to help health professionals treat the disease and sets out a number of ways Scotland can tackle the problem. This includes increasing the effectiveness of laboratory services and diagnostic tests, as well as clinical services, surveillance and contact tracing and public health services, including neonatal immunisation.
Ms Robison added: "The action plan will ensure we adopt a comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach to tackling TB - from surveillance and diagnosis through to effective treatment and public health services.
"By doing this, we are optimistic that we can stabilise the incidence of TB in Scotland and significantly reduce the burden of ill-health caused by this serious disease."
TB specialist nurse Susan Duthie said the plan will help provide the best treatment for sufferers of TB.
She added: "We must continue to raise awareness about TB with the public and indeed other professionals so they know that it is a curable disease when medication is taken regularly, they know who to contact and where people can be screened or investigated for TB at as early a stage as possible, and of course where to get general information and advice about TB."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5i5VEInm33auztFnqYoTqMN0DvmrQ?docId=N0132471300719057352A
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