What are three reasons why a contact investigation is important?
A contact investigation is important to find contacts who • Have TB disease so that they can be given treatment, and further transmission of TB can be stopped • Have LTBI so that they can be given treatment for LTBI • Are at high risk of developing TB disease and may need treatment for LTBI until it becomes clear whether they have TB infection It is not enough to simply find and test contacts of an infectious case. For a contact investigation to be successful, infected contacts should begin and complete a regimen of treatment for LTBI. Likewise, contacts with TB disease should begin and complete treatment for TB disease. A successful contact investigation can interrupt transmission and prevent future cases of disease.
