If you are not concerned about tuberculosis, as an Alaskan, you should be; our state is No. 1 for active cases. Eight percent of cases are now drug resistant.

Our media shout of concerns about current flu, but TB is a killer. TB killed 1.4 million and nearly 9 million fell ill to the bug in 2011. One person infected can infect 15 others with the strain they have, including a drug resistant virus.

Perhaps there is little concern here because we think TB will stay where it is. That has never been the case. It spreads through the air with a cough. Got a nasty cough? Make sure you have not been infected.

March 24 is World TB day — call Rep. Don Young (271-5978) with your concern about this disease in our state.

— Mary Martin

Anchorage