Health district recognizes TB Day
Courtesy photo<br> Mattawa Community Medical Clinic Administrator Dana Fox accepts the Spittoon Award for her efforts in tuberculosis control.
GRANT COUNTY — The Grant County Health District honored Dana Fox, Mattawa Community Medical Clinic administrator, for her efforts in tuberculosis control.
“In 2009, Dana and her staff were instrumental in treating a patient with active tuberculosis,” stated Lois Swenson, public health nurse.
Fox and her staff followed the health district’s protocol of handling a patient diagnosed with tuberculosis. Fox and staff met with the patient on a daily basis to follow a labor-intensive treatment called, “Directly Observed Therapy,” which entails observing the patient while they take daily medication, providing oversight and intermittent evaluation.
Fox accepted the Spittoon Award at the latest health district board meeting. The award was given to acknowledge World TB Day, occurring Wednesday.
The purpose of World TB Day is to acknowledge tuberculosis as a public heath concern and priority. Although the disease is treatable, Washington state law requires local public health districts and departments to control infectious tuberculosis.
“We are very fortunate to have Grant County Commissioners who understand and meet this obligation, by assuring that the funding needs to control TB are being met,” stated Dr. Alexander Brzezny, Grant County health officer.
Active or infectious tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria germs spread from one person to another through the air. It usually affects the lungs, but can affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys or spine, according to the health district.
In 2009, 1,667 staff hours and $74,000 were spent on investigating and managing infectious tuberculosis. Grant County’s tuberculosis rate per population is similar to the Washington state rate.
About five suspect tuberculosis patients were referred to the health district for evaluation. There were three people completing treatment with further evaluation and the remaining two were determined not to have tuberculosis.
For more information on World TB Day, visit: