Immigrants and refugees are screened overseas for tuberculosis (TB) by panel physicians. During that exam, if concerns related to TB are identified, the individual is given a TB B1, B2, or B0 status, depending on what was identified. If the person is not infectious, they are permitted to travel and screening information is provided to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) upon arrival. After arriving in the U.S., these individuals are strongly encouraged to contact the health department to facilitate assessment of their current TB status.
Local health departments have the responsibility to facilitate U.S. evaluation for individuals with a TB Class condition, according to current recommended protocols. Providers assessing individuals with a Class B condition should fill out the follow-up form and return it to the local health department. The local health departments then report the screening results back to the Wisconsin TB Program.
What are the responsibilities of the Wisconsin TB Program?
The Wisconsin TB Program:
- Receives documentation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding refugees and immigrants with TB class conditions arriving in Wisconsin.
- Reviews records for TB follow-up needs.
- Refers records to local public health agencies.
- Tracks TB screening, follow-up, and treatment for LTBI obtained by all newly arrived refugees and immigrants with TB Class conditions.
- Reports results to CDC.
What are the responsibilities of the local public health departments?
The local health department will:
- Receive notification of the refugee arrival through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS).
- Contact the client and help establish a follow-up plan.
- Provide consultations to providers on follow-up (as needed).
- Receive follow-up information from the provider.
- Enter follow-up information into WEDSS.
- Send completed case report to the Wisconsin TB and Refugee Health Program in WEDSS.
Important deadlines to remember:
- Follow-up should be initiated within 30 days of notification of the refugee arrival.
- Follow-up should be completed within 90 days of notification of the refugee arrival (not including treatment).
What are the responsibilities of clinic providers?
The providers and clinics will:
- Assist client (or client's local health department) to arrange a follow-up appointment.
- Conduct the appropriate follow-up in collaboration with the local health department.
- Complete the Class B follow-up form and send it to the client's local health department.
Important deadlines to remember:
Follow-up should be completed within 90 days of notification of the refugee arrival (not including treatment).
Resources
- Wisconsin Refugee Health Program: Follow this link to the Wisconsin Refugee Health Program for all refugee health screening resources.
- Class B1/B2 Tuberculosis Notification, P-01709 (Multiple Languages): Information about class B notifications and follow-up recommendations.
- Recommendations for Local Health Departments Class B TB Follow-up, P-00619 (PDF): Follow-up recommendations for arrivals with a TB class condition.
- Refugee Medical Screen Guidance for Wisconsin Providers, P-02820 (PDF): Recommended components of the Refugee Medical Screening (RMS) for clinicians providing screening for recent refugee arrivals to Wisconsin.
- CDC Immigrant and Refugee Health: Follow this link to CDC webpage for information and resources for immigrant and refugee health screenings.
Questions about TB? Contact us!
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