Tuberculosis Contact Investigation
Local Health Departments and Districts (LHDs) are responsible for conducting Contact Investigation (CI) for each active TB case. CI should begin within three (3) days of the initial report.
Contact Investigation (CI) begins with identification of individuals who have had contact with a TB patient with active disease during the established infectious period. The CI continues with notifying the contacts of the exposure, educating the contact about TB, and ensuring the appropriate evaluation and/or testing and treatment for latent TB infection or TB disease. The CI is complete either when the contacts have evaluations and/or testing 8-10 weeks after the last exposure to the infectious patient, or when treatment for latent TB infection or TB disease is complete.
TB Contact Investigation Worksheet
The Tuberculosis Contact Investigation Worksheet (Worksheet) is a two-page worksheet which provides room for up to two contacts per page for an active TB case. If necessary, the form may be copied and filled out for extra contacts.
Completion of the Worksheet is a two-part process.
- After the first round of contact testing is done, complete the Worksheet with the initial contact information and fax at 860-730-8271 or mail the Worksheet to the TB Control Program. This will record the preliminary reporting of contacts to a TB case, and the results of the first round of contact testing.
- After the second round of contact testing is done, fully complete the Worksheet and fax at 860-730-8271 or mail it to the TB Control Program. This will record the results of the both rounds of contact testing.
Please be sure to fill out the Worksheet as completely as possible. Please make copies of this form if you need more room for the contact investigation.
To determine infectious period: The start date of the infectious period is determined by the onset of symptoms. Go back three months from the TB case’s symptom onset and test closest contacts.
The end date of infectious period may be determined in consultation with the TB Control Program and/or treating physician(s).
Instructions for Completing the Tuberculosis Contact Investigation Worksheet
Completely fill out the two boxes at the top of the Worksheet with information about the TB case, as well as dates of submission of the Worksheet to the TB Control Program.
Submission to TB Control Program: These are the two dates when you submitted the Worksheet to the TB Control Program to report first and second rounds of contact testing.
Contact information:
Enter the name, address, phone, and date of birth of Contact, and dates of exposure to the TB case.
Step 1 - Screening:
Risk Factors: Check boxes for all risk factor(s) the Contact may have.
Test 1: Fill in information for Tuberculin skin testing (TST) and/or interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) testing.
Note: If a TST was planted, record the result (in mm) and the date the TST was read (48-72 hours after planting).
Test 2: This section will need to be completed after the second round of TB testing. The second round of testing (TST or IGRA) should be performed 8-10 weeks after the last known exposure to the case or the end of the infectious period (see above).
Note: If a TST was planted, record the result (in mm) and the date the TST was read (48-72 hours after planting).
Step 2 - Imaging:
Contacts with positive TST (>5mm) or positive IGRA for recent exposure to TB need a chest x-ray/CT scan or other imaging to rule out TB disease.
Complete date and results of any imaging done.
Note: If the chest x-ray, CT scan, or other imaging are read as abnormal, collect three sputums for further TB evaluation.
Step 3 – Treatment:
Indicate the type of treatment started (if any), the date treatment began, the medication regimen, and date treatment was completed.
Completely fill out the prescribing Provider’s name, address, and phone number.
Completed forms should be faxed to the TB Control Program at 860-730-8271 or mailed (in an envelope marked “Confidential”) to:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Tuberculosis Control Program
410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11TUB
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Other Resources:
Effective Interviewing for Tuberculosis Contact Investigation: Video and Checklist (2018)
Tuberculosis Contact Investigations In Congregate Settings: A Resource for Evaluation (2004)
This page last updated 9/26/2022.