A CLUSTER OF TUBERCULOSIS AMONG CRACK HOUSE CONTACTS IN SAN-MATEO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

In March 1992, a cluster of 89 persons with tuberculosis infection was identified in San Mateo County, California. Thirteen persons (15%), i ncluding 11 children, were diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosi s. All contacts were African Americans who resided in or visited one o f two houses used for crack cocaine smoking or dealing. The patient wi th the index case, a male infected with human immunodeficiency virus, contributed to the transmission of tuberculosis as a transient residen t of several dwellings. Public health authorities applied unique inter vention methods to control the outbreak, including the use of a mobile health van. Further innovative strategies will be necessary to meet t he challenge of this reemerging disease.