What to know
- Presentation Day/Time: Wednesday, April 23, 1:00–2:25 pm
- Presenter: Melanie Askari, PhD, MPhil, MPH, EIS officer assigned to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureaus of Immunization and Tuberculosis Control
What did we do?
- During 2019, we initiated an investigation of 2 tuberculosis (TB) cases with similar or indistinguishable Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) results.
- This investigation quickly progressed into an outbreak of >4 cases.
- We conducted the investigation to identify and interrupt further transmission and guide prevention efforts.
What did we find?
- From December 2018–August 2024, we found 22 confirmed TB cases with closely matching WGS results.
- The first patient identified spent considerable time at a social club in a Brooklyn residential building where he died of undiagnosed, untreated TB.
- Six (27%) patients were epidemiologically linked to this club, including four (18%) who were index patient acquaintances.
- Eleven (50%) patients resided ≤1 mile of the club, and
- Two (9%) patients, including an infant, were linked to club patrons.
Why does it matter?
- WGS results enabled detection of a growing TB outbreak with high risk for ongoing transmission.
- Epidemiologic investigation identified a previously unknown social network with connections to a social club.
- Investigation findings prompted outreach and club-based and neighborhood-based TB testing collaborating with local partners.
Abstract Category: Tuberculosis