How to Report Tuberculosis

TB is a notifiable condition in Texas, reportable to your local or regional health department.

• Tuberculosis Disease (known/suspected): Reportable within 1 working day
  • Reportable tuberculosis disease includes the following: suspected tuberculosis disease pending final laboratory results; positive nucleic acid amplification tests; clinically or laboratory-confirmed tuberculosis disease; and all Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) complex including M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, M. canettii, M. microti, M. caprae, and M. pinnipedii.
  • Laboratory Reporting Requirements
    • Dear Colleague Letter, May 24, 2021
    • TB Isolate Shipping Instructions
    • DSHS Laboratory
      
    • TB infection is determined by a positive result from an FDA-approved Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test such as T-Spot TB or QuantiFERON - TB GOLD In-Tube Test or a tuberculin skin test, and a normal chest radiograph with no presenting symptoms of TB disease. Please include documentation of all results and report skin test results in millimeters.

    How to Report TB

    TB reports should be made to the local or regional TB public health program contact or by calling 800-705-8868.

    Paper reporting forms can be obtained by calling your local or regional health department, or by downloading Epi 2 form.

    Additional information is available on case definitions.
    

    Laws Affecting TB

    Texas laws listed in the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapters 81 and 89 require specific information regarding notifiable conditions be provided to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Health care providers, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and others are required to report patients who are suspected of having a notifiable condition Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 97.