Dec. 19, 2024. Reno, Sparks, Nev. – Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) officially broke ground on a new Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, where state and local officials gathered to celebrate the collaborative effort.
The approximately 7,500-square-foot building will open to the community in the summer of 2026, and will be built at 1240 E. 9th Street (Southeast corner of 9th and Sutro streets), just down the road from the main NNPH location at 1001 E. 9th St., Building B.
“This new TB clinic will be the first local government public health building constructed since our main location on E. 9th St. opened in the 1970s,” said Dr. Chad Kingsley, District Health Officer of NNPH. “It was a tremendous effort by our NNPH staff, Washoe County and the Board of County Commissioners, the State of Nevada, and Governor’s Office to make this a reality for our staff and the community. We are extremely grateful.”
The new building will replace the former TB Clinic, which is currently at 10 Kirman Ave., in Reno, which was built in 1959 and up until 2016 was shared with the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office. The $10 million building is being funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars awarded by the State of Nevada and the Governor’s Office of Finance.
Tuberculosis is a disease that comes in two forms: Active and inactive. Those with active TB often experience abnormal symptoms, a cough, or chest pain. However, it can be treated with the necessary medical care. Lack of treatment can lead to hospitalization and even death. Inactive TB, or latent TB, means you have the bacteria but have no symptoms and cannot spread it.
So far in 2024, the TB Clinic has evaluated about 200 people and provided treatment for latent TB to over 100. There have been 11 confirmed cases and one death in Washoe County in 2024. The average person with TB is treated for 6-9 months. Every case of active TB that is treated helps prevent spread in the community.
The state of Nevada is considered in the “Medium risk” category for TB spread compared to other states. In 2022, there were an estimated 10.6 million TB cases worldwide.
“While TB is not a disease many people are familiar with, it can have a huge impact on people and families,” said Tasha Pascal, senior public health nurse for NNPH. “We often work with families to educate them and reduce stigma around the disease. The good news is that TB can be treated, and we will always be here to help families through the process.”
The NNPH Tuberculosis Control Program is dedicated to controlling the spread of tuberculosis with effective identification and treatment.
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Please note the Washoe County Health District changed its name to Northern Nevada Public Health on Aug. 31, 2023. More information is here.
Northern Nevada Public Health is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.