[Tuberculosis in Scandinavia--Finland families' black sheep]

The incidence of tuberculosis in the Nordic countries is one of the lowest in the world: Denmark 5.1, Iceland 6.4, Norway 6.9 and Sweden 6.5; whereas in Finland it is around the mean for Europe, 28.9 per 100,000 (1988). The immigrants are the risk group because they usually come from countries with a high prevalence. The BCG-vaccination at birth is still used in Finland. Other Nordic countries vaccinate mainly the risk groups. Revaccination is no longer indicated. After the discontinuation of the BCG at birth in 1975 the sensitivity to environmental mycobacteria has increased in Sweden. The screening programmes have been phased out but there is reason to take tuberculosis into account at pre-employment examinations, and to perform meticulous contract tracing of the smear-positives. Effective short course chemotherapy is given in all the countries. The Nordic countries must continue to keep accurate tuberculosis registers, to maintain the high diagnostic level and successfully apply the latest high technology and know-how for the eradication of tuberculosis which, however, will persist into the next generation.