JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri tuberculosis cases reached their lowest point last year since the state started keeping records in 1944.

There were 136 cases of the disease reported last year, down from 157 in 2001 and 211 the year before.

"Missouri has made excellent progress in reducing the numbers of TB cases, but TB is still a major public health problem here and throughout the world," said Vic Tomlinson of the state Department of Health and Senior Services.

Tomlinson said tuberculosis kills about 3 million people around the world every year, and 8 million new cases arise every year.

The only way to contract the airborne disease is by extremely close contact with someone who has it. It cannot be spread by contact with clothing or eating from the same utensils.

Tuberculosis symptoms include a cough longer than three weeks, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, chills and fever.

The disease is treatable and curable if it is discovered in time. The antibiotic treatment is provided free to anyone in the state who is diagnosed with tuberculosis.

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On the Net:

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: http://www.dhss.state.mo.us