[Results of the Tuberculosis Epidemiological Investigation Conducted at a Community Self-sufficiency Center]

Tuberculosis (TB) is a respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is transmitted through the air. When an individual with infectious TB is identified, prompt epidemiological investigations are crucial for identifying other patients with TB and individuals with latent tuberculosis infections (LTBIs). Early identification allows for the prevention of active TB through timely treatment. This study shares the contact investigation methods and LTBI treatment outcomes in patients at community self-sufficiency centers, and proposes preventive measures such as regular TB screening. In February 2023, a TB case was reported at a community self-sufficiency center in the Honam region of the Republic of Korea. Investigation of 50 contacts revealed one additional TB patient (2.0%) and 17 cases of LTBI (44.7% of 38 individuals tested). Community self-sufficiency centers primarily serve socio-economically vulnerable groups, including medical benefit recipients. The incidence of TB among these individuals is higher than that in the general population. Prolonged education and work in enclosed spaces within these facilities may facilitate TB transmission.