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Tuberculosis risk among migrant farm workers on the Delmarva peninsula.

M L Jacobson, M A Mercer, L K Miller and T W Simpson

A survey was conducted to ascertain the risk of tuberculosis (TB) among migrant farm workers on the Delmarva peninsula. Relevant histories were obtained from 842 migrants; a total of 709 skin tests were completed, and 239 sputum specimens were examined for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) and culture. No cases of infectious tuberculosis were ascertained by history or AFB examination. One sputum culture was positive for M. tuberculosis and 13 were positive for various species of nontuberculous mycobacteria. Thirty-seven per cent of migrants tested had significant skin test reactions of 10 mm or more. Reaction rates for men were 41 per cent and for women 25 per cent. Age specific rates ranged from 14 per cent in children aged 5-14 to 54 per cent for ages 45-54. Rates for the principal national/ethnic groups were Haitians 55 per cent, Mexicans 36 per cent, US Blacks 29 per cent and US-born Latinos 20 per cent. Based on these results and other information currently available, it is recommended that current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for TB prophylaxis continue to be applied for migrant workers, but that mass screening by skin testing in camp populations not be emphasized. Other recommendations focus on: case finding of active disease, improving continuity and follow-up, increasing coordination among involved agencies, and actively supporting improved economic and living conditions for migrant farm workers.

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