Kalinga logs 745 TB cases; seniors aged 65 and above record highest at 233

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Kalinga recorded 745 cases of tuberculosis (TB) as of the third quarter of 2026, with adults aged 65 and above accounting for the highest number of infections at 233, according to health data presented during a provincial meeting.

Registered Nurse Geeny Anne I. Austria of the Department of Health-Cordillera Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD CAR) presented the figures during the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) Consultative Meeting for the National Tuberculosis Program on November 5.

Following the oldest age group, those aged 55 to 64 recorded 123 cases, while 119 cases were reported among individuals aged 45 to 54.

Males accounted for the majority of diagnosed cases, with 471 or 63.2 percent of the total, while females recorded 274 cases.

The data also showed 91 cases among children aged 0 to 14, including 46 cases among those aged 5 to 14 and 45 among children aged 0 to 4.

The DOH defines TB as an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body.

Common symptoms include a cough lasting two weeks or longer, unexplained fever, sudden weight loss, and night sweats. Pulmonary TB can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits.

The Philippines recorded 37,400 TB-related deaths in 2024, with respiratory tuberculosis ranking as the country's eighth leading cause of death that year.

Health officials continue to urge the public to seek medical consultation when TB symptoms occur, emphasizing that early detection, prompt treatment, and strict adherence to prescribed medication are essential to preventing transmission and drug-resistant TB.