Tuberculosis among foreign-born residents of Southern Florida, 1995

Objective. To examine the characteristics of foreign-born people with tuber culosis (TB) in Southern Florida, their contribution to the total number of TB cases, and available data on their HIV status as well as to determine t he number of cases detected by the overseas medical screening of immigrants and refugees, Methods. The authors reviewed TB cases reported by Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach counties in 1995, Case records were matched against the CDC Division of Quarantine database of immigrants and refugees suspected to have TB at t he time of Visa application overseas. Results. Nearly half (49%) of TB cases in the three counties were among peo ple born outside the United States-34% in Broward County, 58% in Dade Count y, and 40% in Palm Beach County, A high percentage (26%) were co-infected w ith HIV. Of those with known date of arrival, 68% had been in the United St ates for five or more years, Only three cases had been identified by overse as immigrant screening, Conclusions. A low percentage of TB cases in foreign-born people were ident ified through the overseas screening system, Controlling TB in South Florid a will require efforts targeted toward high risk populations, including peo ple with HIV infection.