KULOB, January 26, Asia-Plus  -- Tuberculosis continues posing serious threat to the Kulob region of Khatlon. 

Kulob Chief Sanitary Physician, Said Davlatov, has told Asia-Plus that 1,129 new cases of tuberculosis were detected in the Kulob region last year, which is 367 cases more compared to 2004.  

At the same time, he has noted that there is no reason for speaking about any TB outbreak in the region.  “With the beginning of implementation of DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short Course) program, a WHO scheme to standardize the detection, treatment and reporting of TB cases, an early diagnostic of the disease have improved,” the Asia-Plus interlocutor said.  

“For example, for lack of diagnostics conditions no case of tuberculosis had been detected in Baljuvon since 2002,” said Davlatov, “But when in 2005 a TB department with all necessary equipment was opened at local central district hospital, 96 people in the district were diagnosed with tuberculosis and received intensive medical treatment.” 

He also noted that cases of TB were detected last year in all the ten districts of the Kulob region but the most serious situation was in Vose, Hamadoni, Farkhor and Kulob.  “Last year, in Vose, 294 new cases of tuberculosis were detected, in Hamadoni – 166 cases, in Farkhor – 101 cases and in Kulob – 191 cases,” the Kulob chief sanitary physician said.