Three Active Tuberculosis Cases Reported in Maine as U.S. TB Trend Rises | News Glare

Three active tuberculosis cases have been confirmed in the Greater Portland area, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials said on September 6, 2025, prompting contact tracing and testing efforts. Meanwhile, health authorities in the Philippines continue to urge citizens to utilize free TB diagnostic and treatment services amid the country’s ongoing fight against the disease.

Nut Graf The confirmation of TB cases in Maine comes as the United States grapples with a steady uptick in tuberculosis incidence since 2021, reversing years of decline. In the Philippines, where over half a million cases occur annually, the Department of Health emphasizes the importance of early detection and preventive treatment to curb transmission.

Maine CDC Response and Investigation

Lindsay Hammes, spokesperson for the Maine CDC, confirmed three unrelated active TB cases linked to the Greater Portland area and said the agency is conducting its standard epidemiological response, including identifying and testing contacts.
Each case appears to have been contracted individually, with no evidence of a common source or outbreak clustering in shelters or schools.
Maine has reported 28 TB cases from January through July 2025, with no current outbreak declared despite the rise in cases nationwide.

Philippine Free TB Services Campaign

On September 4, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) urged Filipinos to avail themselves of free TB diagnosis and treatment services offered at public health centers.
DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa highlighted that while private facilities charge between ₱8,000 and ₱12,000 for molecular tests, these services-and subsequent medication-are free in government clinics.
Active case-finding initiatives have screened over 7,000 individuals across 17 regions, aiming to detect both active and latent TB and to administer preventive therapy for high-risk groups.

U.S. and Global TB Context

After a pandemic-related dip in 2020, U.S. TB cases have risen each year, mirroring global trends where TB has reclaimed its position as the world’s leading infectious disease killer after COVID-19.
The World Health Organization estimates 10.8 million new TB cases and 1.25 million TB deaths in 2023, underscoring persistent challenges in diagnosis, treatment adherence, and drug resistance.

Next Steps and Public Health Guidance

Maine CDC continues contact tracing and will offer testing and preventive therapy to exposed individuals.
The Philippine DOH encourages close contacts of TB patients, persons living with HIV, and other high-risk groups to complete tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT).
Both regions stress that TB is curable with timely diagnosis and adherence to treatment regimens.

This coordinated response underscores global efforts to strengthen TB control through surveillance, free access to diagnostics, and preventive interventions.