RHHD Urges TB Screening and Preventative Care Amidst Virginia Case Increase

March 24, 2026
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

RHHD Encourage Community Members to Seek Preventative Care, Screening for Tuberculosis

March 24 is World TB Day

RICHMOND, Va. —Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage community members to seek preventative care, screening, and/or treatment for tuberculosis (TB). Tuberculosis is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. World TB Day is on March 24.

Local and state TB data

Data from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) show that Richmond City (3.1) and Henrico County (3.0) had higher rates of TB cases per 100,000 people than Virginia (2.6) in 2024. In 2024, Virginia reported 225 cases of tuberculosis (TB), a 9% increase from the 207 cases reported in 2023. This increase was expected as local and national TB numbers continued to increase after declines in reported cases during the peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virginia’s TB case rate increased from 2.4 cases per 100,000 persons in 2023 to 2.6 cases per 100,000 persons in 2024. Virginia’s 2024 rate, as it has in the past, remained below the national rate of 3 cases per 100,000 persons.

“Tuberculosis continues to have an impact on public health in our commonwealth and our districts,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “World TB Day reminds us of the importance of prevention, diagnosis, and early treatment of this serious infectious disease.”

Impact of TB

TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. A person with TB can die if they do not get treatment. People with TB disease are most likely to spread the germs to people they spend time with every day, such as family members or coworkers. People who have been around someone who has TB disease should contact their doctor or local health department for tests. RHHD staff can help people determine which TB test they need.

There are two TB-related conditions: active tuberculosis disease and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) or inactive TB. People with active TB disease usually feel sick, have symptoms and can spread TB to others. People with LTBI do not feel sick, do not have symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others. Most people with inactive TB don’t know that they are infected. The RHHD Tuberculosis Program strives to prevent, identify, and treat tuberculosis in both its latent and active forms.

The general symptoms of active TB disease include:

• Feelings of sickness or weakness
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Night sweats

The symptoms of active TB disease of the lungs also include:

• Coughing (especially a cough that won’t go away)
• Chest pain
• Coughing up of blood

TB testing and treatment

Call 804-482-5500 to schedule an appointment with the RHHD Tuberculosis Program. isit rhhd.gov for more information on RHHD clinical services, including screenings.

Active TB disease can be treated by taking several drugs for six to 12 months. It is very important that people who have TB disease take the drugs exactly as prescribed for the entire length of the treatment. People who stop taking the drugs too soon can become sick again. If the drugs are not taken correctly, germs that are still alive in the body may become resistant to those drugs. Treating inactive TB or LTBI prevents the future development of active TB disease. RHHD’s TB outreach workers make sure clients have what they need to stay on track with their medication.

People at higher risk of developing active TB from inactive TB include:

• People with HIV
• Children younger than 5 years of age
• People recently infected with TB bacteria
• People with inadequately treated active TB
• Anyone who’s immune system is suppressed either from a medical condition or medications that are taking (TNF alpha antagonists, system steroids, etc.)
• People with Diabetes
• People with low body weight
• People who are medically underserved World TB Day is recognized each year on March 24. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes TB.

Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.

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Last Updated: March 25, 2026