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THE FLORIDA SENATE

COMMITTEES:
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1100 Banking and Insurance, Vice Chair
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal
and Civil Justice
Appropriations Subcommittee on Health
and Human Services
Health Policy

SENATOR DARRYL ERVIN ROUSON


19th District

August 27, 2020

State Surgeon General


Dr. Scott Rivkees
Florida Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Dear Dr. Rivkees,

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease is a serious infection caused by bacteria that
are common in the environment and can cause lung damage. People can get NTM lung disease
when they breathe in the bacteria or from exposure due to contamination during surgery. They
are aerosolized, which means that the bacteria can exist in water and soil particles that are in the
air. Everyone comes into contact with NTM bacteria during their daily lives. However, not
everyone is at risk of getting NTM lung disease.

Individuals with weakened immune systems, COPD, chronic pneumonia, Asthma,


Bronchiectasis are at risk from this infection. Currently, Florida is one of the 10 states that has
the highest rate of NTM infections, this includes surgical and hospital cases, as well as cases
where at-risk people with compromised immune system pick up the disease from their
environment. However, individual cases of NTM are not currently reported by the Florida
Department of Health.

Reporting of NTM infections is necessary for preventative action and to monitor the health of the
community. Reporting should also be done at the local level in conjunction with the county
health departments. I call on the Florida Department of Health to work with practitioners,
hospitals, medical facilities, laboratories, schools, nursing homes, state institutions, and other
locations providing health services to ensure the proper reporting of NTM infections in our state.
I am interested in filing legislation that would require such reporting in the State of Florida.

Sincerely,

Darryl E. Rouson
State Senator, District 19
REPLY TO:
 535 Central Avenue, Suite 302, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 (727) 822-6828
 212 Senate Building, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1100 (850) 487-5019

Senate’s Website: www.flsenate.gov

BILL GALVANO DAVID SIMMONS


President of the Senate President Pro Tempore

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