Lucknow, July 5 (IANS) A 21-day campaign in Uttar Pradesh has identified 3,959 new TB cases in the state.

A total 87,686 sputum samples were tested between May 15 and June 6.

According to health department officials, the screening drive focused on areas from where TB or Covid-19 cases were reported in the last two years.

Dr Shailendra Bhatnagar, state TB officer, said: “Prison, old-age homes, brick kilns, factories, were included in the micro plan.”

Treatment of the new cases has begun and soon they will start getting Rs 500 monthly support for a nutritional diet.

“Unidentified TB patients pose a risk in two ways. First, their treatment is delayed, hence their condition worsens. Secondly, they can spread infection to others,” said Abhishek Shukla, secretary-general Association of International Doctors.

At present, the state has 3,01,789 TB patients under treatment.