In public health practice, what is the primary purpose of contact tracing in TB prevention?

• A. Identify and assess individuals who may have been exposed
• B. Vaccinate all contacts
• C. Isolate the entire neighborhood
• D. Stop all screening programs

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how contact tracing functions to prevent the spread of tuberculosis. The primary purpose is to identify and assess people who may have been exposed to an infectious TB case, so you can determine who needs testing, follow-up, treatment for latent infection, or treatment for active disease. By finding contacts early and evaluating them—often with tuberculin skin testing or an IGRA, plus chest imaging when indicated—you can prevent progression to active TB and stop further transmission.

Vaccinating all contacts isn’t the primary or reliable method for TB prevention in most settings, because vaccines don’t reliably prevent TB in adults. Isolating or quarantining an entire neighborhood is neither practical nor appropriate, and stopping screening would allow transmission to continue unchecked. The focus of contact tracing is targeted identification and evaluation of those at risk to interrupt transmission and protect the community.