World TB Day Is Tuesday

Tuesday is world tuberculosis day, and state health officials say the number of cases of tuberculosis declined slightly in 2014.

The state Department of Health reported 193 cases of tuberculosis in the state last year. In 2013, that number was 203.

David Miller, a public health nurse with the Yakima County Health District, says 11 cases were reported in Yakima last year. He says that's about the average number of cases the area sees every year.

Miller says there's no vaccine and many of the cases come from other countries, so it's tough eliminate.

"As long as we have people coming from areas where TB is prevalent we'll always have cases in the area," he said.

Nearly half of the 2014 cases in the state were in King County.

TB is an infectious disease that attacks the lungs and can be fatal if not treated with antibiotics. It is generally spread by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include a bad cough for three weeks or longer, chest pain, weakness or fatigue and coughing up blood.