SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – Spokane County is seeing a rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases, with health officials noting an increase in the number of reported cases.

Dr. Mark Springer, Communicable Disease Program Manager at SRHD, confirmed there have been 11 reported cases of TB this year.

Five years ago, the county reported only five cases, meaning the number has more than doubled.

Treating TB is not straightforward, requiring specific medical attention.

Currently, SRHD has two full-time nurses working to manage the cases. With the rise in cases, these nurses are working about 60 hours a week.

Representatives from the SRHD presented budget findings at a County Commissioners meeting on September 8.

There, they indicated the potential for a future need for a third full time TB nurse.

“We’

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