**Baja California Leads the Nation in Tuberculosis Cases: Health Department Reports**
Baja California remains the state with the highest number of tuberculosis cases in the country, according to recent statements by the Secretary of Health for the state, Adrián Medina Amarillas. Each year, the region identifies approximately 2,000 new infections, with around 300 fatalities resulting from the disease.
Medina Amarillas highlighted that individuals experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to contracting tuberculosis, although it can affect anyone. He explained, “Those in vulnerable situations might pass it through airborne transmission to others, contributing to community spread. As a result, we drive large-scale detection campaigns focusing on both carriers and their contacts.”
In light of Baja California’s situation, the health department has implemented tracking measures for those who have been in contact with infected individuals. “To detect individuals already suffering from tuberculosis and ensure proper monitoring of contact traces, we are conducting molecular diagnoses. This approach goes beyond saliva testing, looking for bacilli that indicate advanced-stage disease,” Medina Amarillas added.
In addition to tuberculosis testing, simultaneous screenings for other related conditions, including HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis, are being conducted. These shared risk factors, often prevalent among drug users, demand a comprehensive approach.
Measures have also been put in place to deliver appropriate treatment, with a focus on addressing risk factors. As Medina Amarillas noted, those dealing with addiction, syringe sharing, extended fasting periods, malnutrition, or living in crowded conditions are more susceptible to these illnesses.
**Secondary News: Tijuana’s Eastern Zone Faces Tuberculosis Surge**
The Eastern Zone of Tijuana has been identified as the area with one of the highest tuberculosis rates in Mexico. This alarming trend adds pressure on local healthcare services, which are striving for comprehensive healthcare solutions, particularly for those living with HIV in Baja California.
Additionally, mortality rates within Baja California’s penitentiaries are rising, attributed in part to infectious diseases, highlighting the urgent need for improved healthcare services for incarcerated individuals.
Separately, there has been a slight rise in the number of people seeking refuge in shelters, driven by displacement from violence in regions like Sinaloa. In other local developments, a minor earthquake recently occurred near Playas de Rosarito, prompting the evacuation of over 700 individuals from a regional government building as a precautionary measure.
Looking to the holiday season, Tijuana’s restaurants are considering extending their hours for Christmas dinners, while the hospitality sector braces for the New Year’s celebrations. Meanwhile, in Tecate, ongoing discussions are focused on the feasibility of a proposed waste collection fee and the launch of DUI sobriety checkpoints as part of a safe December initiative.
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