Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) is an asymptomatic condition that may progress to active tuberculosis (TB), sometimes decades after exposure.

The Southern Metropolitan Region has about a quarter of all cases of Tuberculosis in Metro Melbourne (DHS 2020 data). In Victoria, around 90% of tuberculosis cases occur in people born overseas and from reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection more than 3-5 years after their arrival in Australia.

Treatment of LTBI can reduce the risk of developing active disease. However, with the exception of contact tracing following local exposure to tuberculosis, only limited systematic testing or treatment programs for latent tuberculosis infection operate in Victoria. 

Victorian Tuberculosis Program (VTP) - Concluded March 2023

While TB is an uncommon disease in Victoria, it continues to have significant impact on affected individuals and families. In Victoria, an estimated 300,000 people have latent TB, and efforts to diagnose it and prevent active disease are critically important.

Following an initial pilot program (2018-2020), the second phase of the Tuberculosis Screening, Management and Prevention in General Practice project was undertaken from 2021-2023 and concluded in March 2023. This program developed a model of care which supported holistic management of LTBI, including education, development of resources, testing and treatment, within a general practice setting.

Given the number of people already residing in South East Melbourne with unrecognized LTBI, this program has substantial benefits to offer clinics and communities.

Overall, this project established a strong and sustainable model to support community-based LTBI care in Australia.

This project contributes to the WHO’s End TB Strategy 2016-2035 by allowing increased numbers of at-risk people to be screened and managed to prevent TB.