Tuberculosis Information CD-ROM

TB Notes 1, 2007
Director's Letter
Highlights from State and Local Programs
	Maine’s Contact Investigation Course for Public Health Nurses: A Model for Regional Collaboration
	Washington State TB Program Hosts Regional Meeting
	Midwest TB Controllers Meeting
World TB Day “TB Awareness Walk”
TB Program Evaluation Toolkit Shared with Evaluators
Public Health Information Network Conference, September 2006
QuantiFERON-TB Gold Education: Responding to the National Need
TB Education and Training Network Updates
	TBETN Member Highlight
International Research and Programs Branch Update
	Oral Presentation at the 2007 IUATLD North America Region Conference
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Outbreak Investigations Branch Updates
	Release of 2005 TB Surveillance Report
	Update on Research Priorities of the TBESC
New CDC Publications
Personnel Notes
Calendar of Events

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No. 1, 2007

Dear Colleagues:

As we made the transition into a new year, we said goodbye to several friends in the Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE), including Dr. Zach Taylor, chief of the Field Services and Evaluation Branch. From 1993 through 2006 Zach brought leadership, clear vision, and dedication to the mission of public health to his work in DTBE, and he will be missed by his colleagues. We anticipate announcing his position soon.

The 2006 Program Managers Course was held October 23–27, 2006, at the Sheraton Colony Square Hotel in Atlanta. There were approximately 45 people in attendance. Owing to the absence of Mr. Scott McCoy, the course coordinator, the Communications, Education, and Behavioral Studies Branch (CEBSB) pitched in to finalize arrangements for the course. As in the past, the faculty did an outstanding job of developing and presenting their sessions. Thanks to all involved for your hard work.

From October 31 through November 4, 2006, a small number of DTBE staff attended the 37^th World Conference on Lung Health in Paris, France, sponsored by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (IUATLD). The theme was “Strengthening Human Resources for Better Lung Health.” About 2100 persons attended this year’s conference, representing 125 countries from all over the world. The Union is already starting preparations for the 38^th Conference on Lung Health, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, November 8–12, 2007. The theme will be “Confronting the Challenges of HIV and MDR in TB Prevention and Care.”

World TB Day is observed on March 24 each year. The March 24 date commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced to the scientific community that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus. This day is observed not only to note the gains that have been made, but also to build public awareness that TB today remains an epidemic in much of the world, causing the deaths of almost 2 million people each year, mostly in developing or resource-poor countries. The theme for World TB Day 2007, TB Anywhere Is TB Everywhere, conveys a message of urgency and shared responsibility; it reminds us that although TB is preventable and curable, it remains a global emergency. I encourage you to be part of this important process by planning activities for World TB Day, such as conducting public events, organizing symposia or lectures, or arranging media coverage (e.g., press conferences; radio or television spots). DTBE staff members here in Atlanta are working with the National TB Controllers Association to plan a “2007 TB Awareness Walk” for World TB Day. This walk is being held to raise awareness about the continuing challenge of TB rather than to raise funds, and its organizers are having t-shirts printed up and inviting distinguished guest speakers to the event. Please visit the TB Awareness Walk website for more information. If you will be observing World TB Day in your area, please send an e-mail to Ms. Holly Wilson at HWilson@cdc.gov describing your plans. You can also visit the DTBE World TB Day webpage for additional information and educational materials. In this time of reduced resources, it is especially critical to talk to partners, policymakers, and the general public about the need to prevent, control, and eventually eliminate this disease.

The following important meetings were recently held or are coming up this year: the 11th Annual Conference of the North American Region of the IUATLD, which had the theme “Powering Up Political Will for TB Control,” was held February 22–24, 2007, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In addition, the National Coalition for the Elimination of TB convened a Partners Strategy Planning meeting on February 21, and a STOP TB Canada meeting and TB Nursing Assembly meeting were both held on February 22, before the opening of the IUATLD meeting. As noted previously, this year’s National TB Controllers Workshop has been scheduled for June 11–14, 2007, here in Atlanta. In addition, the dates for the 2007 TB Education and Training Network Conference have been set for August 7–9, 2007; it also will be held here in Atlanta. Please mark your calendars for these events. We will provide updates as they become available.

Kenneth G. Castro, MD

TB Notes Newsletter

No. 1, 2007