[Surveillance of tuberculosis epidemics in Aichi Prefecture]

A survey was done on the conditions of the tuberculosis surveillance system used for extraordinary examination in high tuberculosis prevalence areas in Aichi Prefecture during the period from 1981 to 1989. The results were as follows: 1) A total of 25 health centers provided information to 456 cases in specific groups known as "danger groups" and 227 cases within a furniture company. Information was most frequently provided when the index cases had been diagnosed bacillary positive. 2) Extraordinary examinations were performed on 222 cases for nine years, one case a year per each health center. The frequency of extraordinary examination was never high. A total of five epidemic cases (2.3%) and 30 microepidemic cases (13.5%) were discovered. 3) Coordination among health centers to make examinations was required in 81 cases (36.5%). 4) In index cases in which extraordinary examinations were performed, 43 preventable cases (19.4%) were found. It is therefore important to thoroughly enforce family-contact examinations. In order to complete extraordinary examinations, the importance of not only the systematic collection of information and the action of examination about specific groups but also the establishment of a surveillance system for extraordinary examinations is vital.