Control of Tuberculosis in Pakistani Immigrants

Abstract

A high incidence of tuberculosis among Pakistanis in Bradford has been confirmed by the present survey. To supplement the normal contact tracing of index cases, a more selective use of mass radiography has raised the “ pick up ” rate among Pakistanis from 1.5 per thousand to 3.26% in selected groups. A comprehensive tuberculin survey of 2,246 Pakistanis in the textile trade has been a valuable aid in raising this figure to 10.2 % among fourth-degree reactors and in detecting susceptible immigrants, who have been offered B.C.G. vaccination. Measures adopted to deal with overcrowding of Pakistanis in houses in multiple occupation and the limitation of these as a means of influencing the incidence of tuberculosis are discussed. © 1964, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.