Harris County TB rates higher than rest of Texas
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Tuberculosis has been a persistent public health concern in Harris County, with local rates of active TB higher than in the rest of Texas and the nation, per a Harris County Public Health report released last week.
Why it matters: TB has hit some Harris County communities harder than others, reflecting gaps in access to care and early treatment.
- When diagnosis or treatment is delayed, the disease can continue to spread.
Context: TB is an airborne disease that usually affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body.
- There are two forms: latent TB infection (LTBI), which is not contagious, and active TB disease, which can spread to others if untreated.
By the numbers: Harris County reported 5.5 TB cases per 100,000 people in 2024, higher than state (4.0) and national (2.9) averages. That's according to the latest available data.
The big picture: Nationally, TB has been declining for decades — but urban counties with large immigrant populations, like Harris, consistently see higher rates.
Between the lines: While TB rates have remained relatively stable in Harris County in recent years, the disease continues to disproportionately affect people born outside the U.S., facing poverty or housing instability, or with limited access to health care and screening, according to the report.
Zoom in: The highest latent TB rates were in ZIP codes 77032, 77002, 77011, 77074 and 77009, ranging from 19.6 to 67.6 cases per 100,000 in 2024, per the report.
What they're saying: "Tuberculosis is a serious but preventable disease, and this report helps us better understand where and how it is impacting our community," said Jo Ann Monroy, with the HCPH Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Emerging Diseases.
- "Our goal is to use this data to guide action, improve access to care, and protect the health of all Harris County community members."
Where to go: HCPH's TB Elimination Program offers testing and treatment.