An Epidemic of Tuberculosis in a Manufacturing Workshop

There was an epidemic of 8 cases of tuberculosis in a manufacturing workshop. The outlines of its outbreak are as follows. In August '80, a mechanician aged 24 consulted the doctor complaining of prolonged cough for three months. He was diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis and was forced to enter the National Sanyoso Chest Hospital. A few days later, a needle worker aged 25, his fiancee, entered the same hospital also diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis. They were received chemotherapy in hospital for six months and came back to thier former positions. In Octorber '81, 6 cases of tuberculosis were detected by the mass examination, composed of a male and five females. Recently in Japan, people become more and more careless about tuberculosis, as the infectious disease has less spread. This report of the epidemic of tuberculosis may be a warning signal in such a surrounding.