Tuberculosis outbreak investigation and contact management in a care facility for individuals with disabilities

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health concern, particularly in developing countries. Transmission primarily occurs through airborne aerosolized droplet nuclei. The aim of this outbreak investigation was to describe the detection, contact screening process, follow-up, and public health response to a tuberculosis outbreak in a long-term care facility for individuals with disabilities. The retrospective descriptive outbreak investigation was conducted on 92 participants, including 55 care recipients and 37 staff members. Data were collected from the Public Health Management System’s TB Module and field records. Age, sex, BCG scar status, TST results, comorbidities, and preventive treatment uptake were recorded. All individuals underwent monthly symptom monitoring, and presumptive cases were referred for hospital evaluation. A total of four active TB cases were identified among care recipients, including one diagnosed posthumously (culture sample was collected ante-mortem). Twenty-one individuals received preventive treatment, with no subsequent TB cases in this group. One individual who did not receive preventive treatment developed TB five months later. The mean age of diagnosed cases was 34.3 years, all had comorbidities. Early diagnosis, continuous monitoring, and preventive treatment were integral components of outbreak control in this setting. During follow-up, no additional TB cases were detected among contacts who received preventive treatment. These findings may inform outbreak management strategies in similar high-risk congregate settings. Continuous education for care facility staff and primary healthcare providers is essential to ensure the sustainability of TB control.