Disease Overview

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is typically spread through the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat expels tiny airborne particles. People nearby may breathe in these particles and become infected, usually after prolonged sharing of airspace. People who are infected with TB bacteria but who do not have active TB disease—a condition known as latent TB infection—do not feel sick, do not have symptoms, and cannot spread TB. However, they may develop TB disease at some time in the future.

Like many other infectious diseases, TB is a challenge to control. Some of the obstacles include its airborne mode of transmission, failure of providers to “think TB” as TB morbidity declines, elevated rates in at-risk groups, and its prolonged treatment regimen of six months or longer.

Find more information and resources on the TB website

Core Surveillance Metrics

TB Rate per 100,000: Utah vs United States

Update Schedule: Annually

TB by Local Health Department

Update Schedule: Quarterly

Demographics & Risk Factors

Data Note

Metrics in this section represent 5-year averages and are not filterable by a single year or by Local Health Department.

Age Group Rates (5-Year Average)

Update Schedule: Annually

Race / Ethnicity Rates (5-Year Average)

⚠️ Interpret with caution due to small number counts.

Update Schedule: Annually

Site of Disease (5-Year Average)

Update Schedule: Annually

Risk Factors (5-Year Average)

Select a tab below to view rates across clinical and behavioral risk factors:

Update Schedule: Annually