Tuberculosis case finding and treatment in Ethiopian immigrants to Israel, 1989-91.

: In addition to the immigrants from Ethiopia who arrived in Israel during the period 1980-90, a particularly large number immigrated in 1991 including a concentrated group (Operation Solomon). The procedures and problems involved in tuberculosis case-finding and treatment in Ethiopia and in Israel are described. The prevalence rate of cases of active tuberculosis in those who immigrated in 1991 was 1.3/100 persons as compared with 1.9/100 in the 1984-85 immigration (Operation Moses). Among the 1991 immigrants the number of cases reported was 261. In 89% the site was pulmonary. After screening and treatment in Israel there were very few cases of relapse or death and few contact cases in the host population. Follow-up of case reporting from 1983 is updated and demonstrates that the majority of cases are detected and treated within 2-3 years of immigration. Since 1980, 771 cases of tuberculosis were reported in all immigrants from Ethiopia.