[The new measures against tuberculosis in Japan].
The incidence rate of TB is 236 in western pacific region in 2004, and is 23.3 in Japan. Though the rate in Japan is getting lower steadily, it is still higher than that in UK, USA or in Canada. The advent of patients is more popular among elderly and urban population. The localized outbreak of TB in medical institutions or schools is not rare yet. The Tuberculosis Control Law was altered two years ago, to fit new policy including adoption of DOTS, direct BCG inoculation without tuberculin test, and so. In this year, that Law was abrogated and integrated to the Law Concerning the Prevention of Infections and Medical Care for Patients of Infections. That Law provides proper management of pathogen, provides tuberculosis with the position of second grade hazardous disease, with enforced isolation for smear positive patients. It is improved to treat patients promptly and properly, especially in light of human rights. Even new measures are carried out, control of tuberculosis is still difficult problem as before and we must keep tackling with it.
Miyake
Satoru
S
Tuberculosis and Infectious Disease Control Division, Health Service Bureau, Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare, Japan.
D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007564:Japan; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy*