Quintana Roo Reports Seven New Tuberculosis Cases in One Week

Quintana Roo — The state recorded seven new cases of respiratory tuberculosis last week, bringing its cumulative total to 50 infections during the fifth epidemiological period, according to the latest report from the National Epidemiological Surveillance System. This places Quintana Roo 14th nationally in disease incidence.

The increase of seven diagnoses in a single weekly report has alerted health authorities. While the absolute number might appear moderate, doctors warned that any sustained rise in tuberculosis cases requires careful analysis, as it is an infectious disease that can become complicated if not detected and treated promptly.

Compared to other states on the Yucatan Peninsula, Yucatan reported 32 cases during the same week, ranking 19th nationally, while Campeche recorded 22 cases, placing 21st.

A week earlier, Yucatan had accumulated 28 infections and Campeche 17, reflecting smaller proportional increases than Quintana Roo.

When compared to the same period last year—epidemiological week 5—Quintana Roo had 48 cases, Yucatan 23, and Campeche 16. This means the state shows a slight annual increase of two cases, indicating a stable trend with weekly variations rather than an explosive surge; however, physicians recommended not downplaying the data.

General practitioner Miguel Ángel García explained that seven additional cases in one week should not be viewed as an isolated number but as part of an epidemiological dynamic potentially linked to social factors.

He noted that conditions in Quintana Roo such as high population mobility, rapid urban growth, and overcrowding in some sectors influence transmission.

“Tuberculosis is a disease closely associated with social determinants; when there is treatment abandonment or delayed diagnoses, the risk of transmission increases,” he emphasized.

Epidemiologist Mario Gómez considered that Quintana Roo’s 14th-place national ranking necessitates constant vigilance.

“We’re not among the top positions, but we’re not at the bottom either. That means the problem exists and requires permanent strategies for detection, follow-up, and control,” he said.

He added that treatment abandonment is one of the main challenges, as tuberculosis therapy can extend for several months and requires continuous medical supervision.

The specialist explained that, in public health terms, 50 cumulative cases over five weeks represent a focus of attention, especially in a state with high tourist and migratory influx.

“Mobility facilitates the spread of respiratory diseases if there is no timely diagnosis and treatment,” he pointed out.

Regionally, case trends in Yucatan and Campeche show gradual increases, but Quintana Roo maintains the highest figure among the three states in week five. This, he asserted, reinforces the need to strengthen information campaigns, early detection, treatment adherence, and ensure medication supply.

“Respiratory tuberculosis is a preventable and curable disease, but its control depends largely on early detection and patients completing the therapeutic regimen,” he stated.

The current landscape places Quintana Roo in an intermediate position nationally, but with behavior requiring precise monitoring.

Those interviewed agreed that the real challenge lies not only in the number of cases but in preventing the weekly increase from becoming a sustained trend that compromises public health in the state.