MERCED—The Merced County Board of Supervisors accepted a $72,735 grant from the California Department of Public Health’s Tuberculosis Control Branch to support tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment efforts in the county. The funding, which covers the period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, will help the county’s Public Health Department maintain its TB control program, as mandated by state law.

The grant includes a base allocation of $68,524, supplemented by an additional $4,211 for Food, Shelter, Incentives, and Enablers (FSIE), aimed at improving patient adherence to drug therapy and preventing homelessness among TB patients. The funding will support staff costs and enhance local TB control initiatives, ensuring continued screening, treatment coordination, and outreach efforts.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and spreads through airborne particles when an infected person coughs, speaks, or sneezes. While TB can be fatal if left untreated, it is preventable and curable with proper medical care. Screening for TB typically involves either a skin test or a blood test, which detect the presence of TB bacteria in the body. Individuals who test positive may require further evaluation, including chest X-rays and sputum tests, to determine whether they have active TB disease.

Preventing TB involves early detection and treatment of latent infections before they progress to active disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people at higher risk—such as those with weakened immune systems, individuals who have been in close contact with TB patients, and those living in congregate settings—get tested regularly. Additionally, maintaining good ventilation in indoor spaces, covering coughs and sneezes, and adhering to prescribed TB medications are crucial steps in preventing the spread of the disease.

Merced County’s Public Health Department provides TB screening for school clearance, childcare, foster care, work clearance, and immigration purposes. The department also coordinates treatment for latent TB infections and operates a TB skin testing and chest clinic. Residents seeking TB-related services can contact the department at 260 E 15th St, Merced, CA 95341, or call (209) 381-1072.

With the newly secured funding, county officials aim to strengthen TB prevention efforts and ensure that vulnerable populations receive the necessary support to combat the disease.