Press Release
MARCH 21st, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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CONTACT: TIM O’CONNOR:561-355-3576
Daryl Garsik
561-804-7917
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PALM
BEACH COUNTY, FL –
World TB Day is recognized
on March 24th each year to
commemorate the date in 1882
when Dr. Robert Koch
announced his discovery of
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis,
the bacteria that caused TB.
Today, TB is less prevalent
in the United States but,
still affects millions of
people throughout the world.
In 2007 the number of cases in Palm Beach County dropped to
70 from the 82 reported in
2006 and similar drops
occurred in other counties.
The Palm Beach County Health
Department continues to
monitor and investigate all
TB cases in the county
through its Bureau of TB and
Refugee Health.
On Tuesday, March 25 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm the Health
Department is collaborating
with the Palanca Food
Pantry, a ministry of Holy
Redeemer Episcopal Church
and their partner, St.
Rita’s Catholic Church to
provide educational
information and health
screenings to the homeless,
working poor, disabled and
retired population in Palm
Beach County. Church of the
Holy Redeemer is located at
3730 Kirk Road, Lake Worth.
When a person has TB Disease of the lung or throat tiny
particles containing M.
tuberculosis may be expelled
into the air through
coughing or sneezing. When
another person inhales these
particles there is a chance
they too may become
infected. However, in most
cases the body contains this
bacteria which is called
latent TB infection. Both
the disease and infection
are treatable and curable.
To find out more about Tuberculosis a person can contact the
Health Department’s Riviera
Beach Health Center at
561-804-7900 or visit the
website at
Riviera Beach Health Center.
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