Celebrating 25 years of the Olmsted County Tuberculosis Clinic

On March 24, the world observes World Tuberculosis (TB) Day — a time to raise awareness about the world’s deadliest infectious disease and the global efforts to eliminate it.  

This April, Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) is celebrating 25 years of its Tuberculosis Clinic. This clinic provides TB testing and treatment to residents of Olmsted County and 10 surrounding partner counties. OCPHS remains committed to its mission of eradicating TB in southeast Minnesota and beyond.   

The World Health Organization reports that tuberculosis continues to impact millions of people worldwide, “inflicting severe health, social and economic consequences.” TB is: 

      • A contagious airborne disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which   most often affects the lungs.

      • Spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze, or spit. A person  needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected.  

The OCPHS Tuberculosis Clinic is staffed by Olmsted County public health nursing and laboratory staff, along with Mayo Clinic physicians specializing in TB diagnosis and treatment. Services include: 

      • TB testing. 

      • Evaluation and treatment of latent TB infection. 

      • Treatment of active TB disease through directly observed therapy. 

      • Evaluation and treatment of active TB disease. 

      • Contact investigations, testing, and follow-up. 

      • Nursing case management for TB patients. 

In 2025, OCPHS’s TB clinic appointment numbers surpassed pre‑COVID averages. The clinic recorded 244 appointments in 2019, compared with 283 appointments in 2025. Last year, staff completed 201 TB skin tests and performed 55 TB blood tests. Seventeen patients received treatment for active TB, and 103 were treated for latent TB infection.

OCPHS TB clinic patients continue to share positive feedback about their experience. Many note the convenience of free parking and appreciate being able to complete their chest X‑ray, blood draw, and physician visit in a single appointment at one location. 

Learn more about protecting your family and community from tuberculosis.