Tuberculosis

Statutory notification

Public health management

Important information

  • Infectious agent: Most commonly Mycobacterium tuberculosis, occasionally M. africanum, M. bovis and M. canettii.
  • Transmission: Predominantly air-borne. Direct inoculation of mucous membranes or broken skin is rare. Bovine tuberculosis is rare, but can be acquired from ingestion of unpasteurised milk or air-borne spread.
  • Incubation period: 4 weeks to many years.
  • Infectious period: As long as live bacteria are in sputum. Effective treatment usually eliminates infectious risk within 2 – 4 weeks.
  • Case exclusion: exclude until Medical Certificate of Recovery is obtained.
  • Contact exclusion: Do not exclude.
  • Treatment: Drug therapy is available and is coordinated through the Western Australian Tuberculosis Control Program.
  • Immunisation: BCG vaccine available, although not routinely recommended.
  • Case follow-up: is conducted by the Western Australian Tuberculosis Control Program.

Guidelines

Notifiable disease data and reports

Last reviewed: 19-10-2023
Produced by

Public Health