Illinois health officials say TB cases down

SPRINGFIELD — Public health officials say tuberculosis cases in Illinois are at an all-time low even though there was an outbreak in Kane County last year.

In 2010, there were 372 cases of active tuberculosis, including 20 cases at a Kane County homeless shelter. That's down from 418 reported in 2009.

Illinois Department of Public Health director Dr. Damon Arnold says even though the overall number of cases is going down, the outbreak was a reminder that tuberculosis is still circulating in the state.

World Tuberculosis Day was Wednesday. Numerous groups, including some in Illinois, have planned ongoing awareness events.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that usually affects the lungs. The World Health Organization predicts over two million people will contract a form of tuberculosis by 2015, which is difficult to treat.