title: [Recognize tuberculosis--prevent outbreak].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of tuberculosis cases in Finland has decreased. Cases among immigrants have, however, increased, and the disease may not be recognized early enough.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe four group exposures to tuberculosis that occurred in Finland, the index patient coming from a country with a high incidence rate of tuberculosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 900 persons were exposed to tuberculosis. Coordination of the surveys was hampered by the fact that several healthcare operators participated in the study. Three index patients had drug-resistant tuberculosis, one of which was multidrug resistant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extensive operations of tracking and prevention could have been avoided, if the symptoms would have been recognized earlier.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soini
authors.forename: Hannele
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kotilainen
authors.forename: Harri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marttila
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marttila
authors.forename: Risto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pietikäinen
authors.forename: Eeva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ruotsalainen
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: Kirsi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Valve
authors.forename: Tuula
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vasankari
authors.forename: Outi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lyytikäinen
mesh_terms: D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission