Tuberculosis
Rates of Tuberculosis (TB) on Saba are particularly low. Despite the low levels, vigilance is needed as Saba is comprised of a fluid population which sees immigration of people from countries with higher prevalence of TB.
The Immigration and Naturalization Department (IND) requires migrants to show proof that they have been screened for TB, unless they are from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New-Zealand, Suriname, the United States of America, Switzerland, EER-countries and EU-countries.
Symptoms can include:
Typical symptoms are a combination of:
- General malaise (feeling uncomfortable, ill or lack of energy but you cannot explain the cause)
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Persistent cough and traces of blood while coughing
- Difficulty and painful breathing
If you have these symptoms contact Saba Cares at 599.416.3288 for further instructions especially with travel/migration history and/or when HIV-infected.
TB Vaccination
BCG, a TB vaccine is not given routinely. It is only used for children whose parents come from countries where the disease is circulating. When this is the case, the children receive the vaccine at six months of age.
