January 2026

🎉Celebrating the Retirement of Chris Spitters

Congratulations to Dr. Chris Spitters on his recent retirement! After joining the DOH TB Program in late 2022, he officially retired at the end of 2025. Since coming to Washington State in 1994, he has worked primarily as a TB clinician, filling numerous public health roles in Washington, including the State TB Medical Consultant, TB control officer and/or health officer for King, Snohomish, and Yakima Counties. He also served in similar roles of shorter tenure for Island, Chelan-Douglas, Pacific, Asotin, and Pierce Counties. Dr. Spitters has been board-certified in General Preventive Medicine/Public Health since 1994 and is a Clinical Professor in the Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is also an occasional lecturer and regular Warmline medical consultant for the Curry International Tuberculosis Center at the University of California San Francisco.

Dr. Spitters’ professional and public health impact is truly significant. He is recognized nationally and locally as a dedicated and experienced TB clinician, bringing his unique experience to all situations in a thoughtful and balanced manner, and advocating for patients, providers, and public health. He is known for always striving for the best possible outcomes for patients and public health. Dr. Spitters has been a trusted mentor and colleague to many physicians, nurses, and public health professionals over the years and will be missed by all.  Prior to departure, Dr. Spitters reflected on these questions, providing insight into his TB work entry, to advice he’d been given, and to the hopes he has for the work that will continue.

📞Update on State TB Clinical Consultation Services

While the DOH TB Program is in the process of recruiting a State TB Medical Consultant after the official and well-deserved retirement of Dr. Chris Spitters, TB clinical consultation services, both physician- and nurse-based, remain available. Please continue to seek clinical consultation from the DOH TB Program, as needed. During January, Dr. Scott Lindquist will provide physician-based TB consultation coverage. Nurse consultation services remain unchanged. Please continue to email tbservices@doh.wa.gov or call 206-418-5500 for TB consultation. LHJ partners can also refer to additional details later on in the Newsletter.

🆕 CDC Releases "Reported Tuberculosis in the United States, 2024"

On December 19, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published, Reported Tuberculosis in the United States, 2024. The report describes cases of TB disease reported to CDC during 1993–2024. The report also includes new estimates of recent TB transmission and new content describing large outbreaks of TB in the United States.

Information for Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs)

🗓️2025 Year-End Data Closeout and Reconciliation

It’s data closeout season again! Mark your calendars with these key dates:  

• January 16, 2026: Limited provisional variables due for all 2025 cases.
• February 2, 2026: Double check that contact identification data for all 2024 cases has been entered into WDRS (this allows them to be included in data cleanup).
• First week of February, 2026: Targeted Testing data due to DOH for LHJs receiving DOH TB funding through Consolidated Contracts; line-level or aggregate data (see “Targeted Testing Project Reminders” below for more information).
• February 2026: Second round of data closeout line lists sent out.
• March 6, 2026: Final data deadline.
  • Case data must be as complete as possible for 2025 cases.
  • Contact identification data for 2024 cases must be as complete as possible
  • Class B screening data should be as complete as possible.

This information and other resources are available on the TB Data Resources SharePoint page. Email tbservices@doh.wa.gov with any questions or concerns or to request access to the SharePoint.

🗓️Targeted Testing Project Reminders

Targeted testing for TB is a strategy to diagnose and treat Latent TB Infection (LTBI) among people who are at high or increased risk for developing TB disease. Targeted testing is crucial for TB elimination; by focusing on these high-risk groups, targeted testing can prevent the progression of LTBI to active TB disease and reduce the overall incidence of TB in the community. Targeted testing activities also save public health funds in the long-term; reaching people early in the disease continuum is cheaper and less disruptive to their lives compared to diagnosing and treating active TB disease.  

We encourage all LHJs to consider how they might collaboratively reach groups at higher risk for TB in their communities for screening and evaluate potential partner organizations for targeted testing work.

Only 2 new targeted testing deliverables remain for LHJs receiving 2025 DOH TB funding through the Consolidated Contract (ConCon):

1. Due January 31, 2026 is the Annual ConCon Deliverables Report. Earlier this month, your LHJ TB manager was sent a reminder with an example template and last year's Report. 
2. Due by the first week of February are any targeted testing data (line-level or aggregate). These data will be aggregated and reported to CDC partners.

A targeted testing resources section will be coming soon to the TB Partners SharePoint, including templates for reporting targeted testing data.

📢Electronic Disease Notification (EDN) Message: Newly Approved IGRA Test: Standard E TB-Feron Elisa

The CDC Division of Global Migration Health recently added a World Health Organization (WHO) approved interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) test, STANDARD E TB-Feron ELISA, to the list of approved tests panel physicians may use for TB screening overseas. View the full message on the TB Partners SharePoint.

💊Waste TB Medications?

Please remember to report any medications obtained by your LHJ from the DOH TB Program that your program had to dispose of. We request that you submit this information at least quarterly or as each situation arises. Send an email to tbservices@doh.wa.gov with the following details:

• Medication type (e.g., rifampin, isoniazid, etc.)
• Dosage (e.g., 100 mg, 300 mg, etc.)
• Number of pills that will be or were disposed of
• Which program order form was used (340B, MMCAP, or Former CDC Stockpile)
• Reason for disposal (e.g., expiration)

Note: Unopened bottles of medications can be returned to the pharmacy if you know your LHJ will not use them. Please do not return medications that are within 30 days of expiration.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us by email at tbservices@doh.wa.gov.

💊Medication Order Forms Updates We have updated the TB medication order forms for both the 340B and MMCAP.  Please use these new forms going forward. You will find them on our SharePoint pages here:

• MMCAP Order Form
• 340B Order Form  

Remember the TB medications are offered to your LHJ's TB patients without cost. We cover the cost of the medications, pharmacy, and shipping.

If you have any questions about the DOH TB Program's medications program, please reach out to us at: tbservices@doh.wa.gov

📞State TB Clinical Consultation Services Remain Available

The DOH TB Program is in the process of recruiting a State TB Medical Consultant. During this time, TB clinical consultation services, both physician- and nurse-based, remain available. We hope to have a permanent State TB Medical Consultant onboard by January 31^st. Please continue to seek clinical consultation from the DOH TB Program, as needed, including for advice on isolation and health officer TB duties and responsibilities. During January, Dr. Scott Lindquist will provide physician-based TB consultation coverage. Nurse consultation services remain unchanged. Please continue to email tbservices@doh.wa.gov or call 206-418-5500 for TB consultation.

Alternative Options to State Clinical Consultation

Although efforts to obtain state-level clinical consultation should be prioritized, these alternative services, in no particular order, also remain available:

• Public Health-Seattle and King County Washington TB Collaborative Network (WTCN): To request TB consultation from WTCN, complete this HIPAA compliant form. If your request is submitted during business hours, WTCN will follow-up with you within 2 hours to obtain additional information/imaging as needed. Consultations are prioritized by urgency of clinical need.
• Clark County Public Health: If your local health jurisdiction receives medical consultation from health officers Dr. Alan Melnick and Dr. Brianna da Silva Bhatia with Clark County Public Health, those services remain available and can be accessed by calling 564-397-8182 or by contacting Drs. Melnick or da Silva Bhatia.
• Curry International Tuberculosis Center (CITC) Warmline Service: To request consultation from CITC, visit CITC.idcrowd.org, register as a member, and complete the information requested (option 1), email Currytbcenter@ucsf.edu (option 2, note, you will receive an email notice from no_reply@idcrowd.org.), or call toll-free 877-390-6682 or 415-502-4700 and leave a voicemail (option 3).
• TB Project ECHO: To submit a TB ECHO case discussion request, email the WA DOH TB Program at tbservices@doh.wa.gov. The TB ECHO session coordinator will reach out to you for scheduling and coordination.

Thank you for your continued partnership. We look forward to sharing an introduction to our new State TB Medical Consultant soon.

Please email tbservices@doh.wa.gov with any additional questions.

Upcoming Events and Education Opportunities

Level 1: TB Basics, Contact Investigation, and Latent TB Infection

The Curry International Tuberculosis Center (CITC) online, asynchronous training for nurses and public health/disease control investigators can be accessed, started, and revisited at any time during the 10-week course term. Dates:

• January 5-March 13, 2026  (application available)
• March 23-May 29, 2026  (application available March 23) 
• August 24-October 30, 2026  (application available August 24)

January 14, 2026 | Fundamentals of Medical & Case Management of Drug-Susceptible TB

This training is part of the CITC's TB Case Management and Contact Investigation Intensive (CMCI) core training, which is designed for tuberculosis case managers and public health nurses who deliver case management services to patients with active or latent TB within the public health setting.

January 15, 2026 | Navigating TB with Uninsured Patients

This Mayo Clinic Center for TB webinar addresses barriers uninsured patients face in TB care and highlights public health resources and outreach strategies to improve access.

January 23, 2026 | Treating TB, Treating the Mind: Understanding the Mental Health Effects of TB Medications 

Medications The Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center (SNTC) and National Tuberculosis Nurse Coalition (NTNC) are jointly hosting this webinar.

February 12, 2026 | Interpreting the IGRA for Civil Surgeons

This Mayo Clinic Center for TB webinar focuses on enhancing civil surgeons' and supporting healthcare professionals’ understanding of interpreting Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) results in TB screening.

February 26 - 28, 2026 | Annual TB Conference – The Union-North America Region (NAR)

The 2026 End TB Conference of the Union NAR is looking forward to holding its 30th annual conference at the Westin Philadelphia Hotel, from February 26 - 28, 2026.

March 11, 2026 | Achieving Treatment Completion for Drug-Susceptible TB

This training is part of the CITC’s TB Case Management and Contact Investigation Intensive (CMCI) core training, which is designed for tuberculosis case managers and public health nurses who deliver case management services to patients with active or latent TB within the public health setting. We are very excited to announce that TB nurse consultant, Lisa Ferguson, will be presenting this core training. Consider submitting your application today to join Lisa as she teaches this important content.

June 8 - August 14, 2026 | Level 2: TB Case Management

CITC online, asynchronous training for nurses and public health/disease control investigators can be accessed, started, and revisited at any time during the 10-week course term

Washington's TB Project ECHO

On select Tuesdays 12:30-1:30 pm PT, join the lunch-time virtual discussion about real TB cases with your peers. This free interactive event is guided by a panel of local TB experts. Click here for more information about this local project and our partners who make this ongoing event possible.

SEATRAC Seminar Series

SEATRAC hosts and promotes seminars, one Friday session per month from 12 - 1 PM, focused on TB basic and clinical sciences by local trainees', local and visiting faculty, and special guests.

Articles

Pregnancy Outcomes after Exposure to Tuberculosis Treatment in Phase 3 Clinical Trial, 2016–2020

Emerging Infectious Diseases | December 2025 | doi: 10.3201/eid3112.250492

Video Recordings and Education Opportunities

Mayo Clinic Center for TB

• Recorded Webinars (CE units not available)
• Foundations in Tuberculosis Course (credits available)
• LTBI 101 for Healthcare Professionals (credits not available)

CITC Archived Webinars
CME/CE units not available for these trainings.

Rutgers TB Institute Webinar Archives
CE units are not available for these archives. 

Southeastern National TB Center (SNTC) Archived Webinars
CME/CE units are not offered for these trainings. 

SNTC Online Courses
CME units are offered for these trainings. 

CDC

• Efficacy and Safety of 4-Month Rifapentine-Based Tuberculosis Treatments in Persons with Diabetes CME unit expires on 2/24/2026. 

The Union

• Free Online Course - Interpretation of Chest X-Rays in Children with Presumptive TB
• Online Course on Management of Child and Adolescent Tuberculosis

TB ECHO Recorded Archives
Missed a TB ECHO^® session? TB ECHO^® has didactic presentations available for viewing on YouTube. Handouts related to the presentation are included where appropriate. Watch recorded TB ECHO®.

Tools and Resources

Minnesota's Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health

• Access helpful tools, trainings, and updates for newcomers and refugee health here.

CDC

• CDC Learning Connection.
• CDC TRAIN is a comprehensive catalog of free public health training opportunities from the Public Health Foundation. For TB-related trainings, click here.
• FindTBResources.cdc.gov - TB educational materials for patients and providers.
• Visit Everyday Words for Public Health Communication to find plain language alternatives for public health jargon.
• TB Personal Stories patient videos to help raise awareness about TB in the US.
• we are TB offers comprehensive peer support for current TB patients and TB clinics, including weekly live support group sessions.
• Subscribe to the CDC's quarterly newsletter, TB Notes!

DOH Refugee and Immigrant Health Program

• Afghan Health Resources - Fact sheets, webinars, videos, and other health resources (scroll down for TB resources).
• Ukrainian Health Resources - Fact sheets, webinars, videos, and other health resources to support new arrivals from Ukraine (scroll down for TB resources).

Southeastern National TB Center

• Individualized Country Guides

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