SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, March 22 -- Contact tracing among family members of tuberculosis (TB) patients is crucial in preventing the spread of the contagious bacterial infection.

There are currently 37 confirmed to drug-resistant (DR) TB cases in this province. They live with their families but receive free treatment at rural health units (RHUs).

Pulmonologist Dr. Helarose Elisterio, former president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians-Northwest Panay Chapter and member of the Antique Medical Society, emphasized that TB, caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, spreads easily when infected individuals cough, sneeze or spit.

"Through contact tracing, close contacts of TB patients or individuals in high-risk groups can...