An attempt to eradicate silicotuberculosis in Ottawa County, Oklahoma

In 1974 and 1975, a selective tuberculosis screening program was conducted in a small mining community in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. Former miners, 50 years of age and over, who had abnormal chest radiographs consistent with silicosis or inactive tuberculosis and positive tuberculin skin tests, were offered isoniazid preventive therapy. Since the project ended, morbidity from silicotuberculosis has declined but silicotuberculosis has continued to occur. In this report, we examine the reasons for the failure to eradicate this disease from the community.