Infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and airborne tuberculosis transmission during primary care visits in South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) transmission in crowded health care settings poses considerable risks in high-burden regions. We assessed how COVID-19 pandemic-related infection prevention and control (IPC) measures might impact TB transmission in a South African primary care clinic.

Methods

In 2019 (prepandemic) and 2021 (pandemic), we collected clinical data, patient tracking data (person-time and spatial density), indoor CO₂ levels, and concentrations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) DNA in bio-aerosol samples. We estimated the risk of Mtb transmission during a 1-hour visit based on ventilation rate and duration of exposure.

Results

During the pandemic, clinics were less crowded, with lower mean person-time per day (209 vs 258 hours; P < 0.001). TB preva

SUBMITTER: Banholzer N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12277576 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature