Question

an Carlos County Health Department reported 17 new cases of tuberculosis in the first half of 2001 and 18 additional cases during the second half of the year. The population of the county was 204,500 at the beginning of the year and 215,000 at the end of the year. What was the incidence rate of tuberculosis in San Carlos County in 2001

Answer 1

San Carlos County

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Number of cases of tuberculosis reported in the first half of 2001 = 17

Number of cases of tuberculosis reported in the second half = 18

Total number of cases reported = 35 (17 + 18)

Population of the county at the beginning of 2001 = 204,500

Population of the county at the end of the year = 215,000

Average population for the year = 209,750 (204,500 + 215,000)/2

Therefore, the incidence rate of tuberculosis in the county = 35/209,750 * 100

= 0.000167

b) Since the incidence rate is <1, it suggests that the population of San Carlos County is at a very reduced risk of exposure to tuberculosis. This means that only 1 in 6,000 (209,750/35) people are exposed to the disease in the county.