Fla. health officials say Jax TB outbreak 'contained'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State health officials on Friday declared victory of sorts in an outbreak of tuberculosis among homeless residents in Duval County, saying the outbreak has been contained.

Florida Surgeon General John Armstrong made the announcement, saying state health officials had met with nearly 1,600 of the 2,100 individuals exposed to 40 active cases of the strain in 2010 and 2011.

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State health officials took heat last year following reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that questioned the state's response to the outbreak. Since then, more than 90 percent of the highest risk residents were located and nearly 77 percent of contacts at much lower risk for developing active TB were found.

"The Department remains committed to the goal of eliminating tuberculosis in Duval County and across Florida," Armstrong said in a statement. "Our work continues each day to identify and treat those who may have the TB germ so that we protect communities, prevent latent tuberculosis progression, and assure the cure for those with active tuberculosis."