TB epidemic in Chisinau is permanently worsening

The tuberculosis epidemic in the Chisinau municipality is permanently worsening, according to the chief of the Health Directorate, Victor Savin. Thus, the TB morbidity indexes have grown from 105.6 per 100,000 people in 2004 up to 117.7 in 2005. The average on Moldova was 105.8 per 100,000 people last year. Savin says that the general TB incidence has grown on account of Chisinau’s suburbs, where the highest indexes were registered. Thus, the TB incidence in the commune of Ghidighici is 360 cases per 100,000 people, compared with 180 in 2004; Vadul lui Voda – 327, compared with 143 in 2004; Vatra – 265 compared with 89 in 2004. The number of TB patients rose over 2.5-fold in the commune of Truseni and 2-fold in the commune of Bacioi. According to Savin, the incidence of bacillus and destructive forms among TB patients is on the rise, as it was 37.4 and, respectively, 43.2 in 2005 compared with 34.5 and, respectively, 34.7 per 100,000 people in 2004. At the same time, the TB morbidity rate on children under 18 has declined. It dropped down to 70.3 per 100,000 people in 2005, compared with 87.7 in 2004. The TB incidence on children is 29.5 in Moldova.