The highest number of tuberculosis (TB) cases since global monitoring began were recorded in 2023, according to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO).
TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria.
Despite this, a total of 1.25 million people died from TB in 2023, including 161 000 people with HIV.
The work of his team, alongside global collaborators, feeds into WHO’s activities in TB care and monitoring around the world.
“Current TB policies are passive and wait for people to fall unwell with symptoms that drive them to seek healthcare.
According to a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO), 2023 saw the greatest number of TB cases since worldwide monitoring started.
Bacteria are the cause of the infectious disease tuberculosis. The lungs are primarily affected, and coughing, sneezing, and saliva are the main ways that it spreads through the air. Antibiotics can typically cure the infection and prevent it. The majority of patients will live if they receive care.
Nevertheless, TB claimed the lives of 1 in 25 million people in 2023, including 161,000 HIV-positive individuals. According to the WHO report, after COVID-19 overtook TB as the leading infectious agent-related cause of death for three years, TB has most likely reclaimed its position as the leading cause of death worldwide.
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology Rein Houben is spearheading research to determine the role of asymptomatic tuberculosis in subsequent transmission. His team’s efforts, along with those of international partners, support WHO’s global TB care and monitoring initiatives.
“This WHO announcement highlights the magnitude of the challenge we face and the opportunities we must seize,” Rein stated. “TB has been and continues to be a huge problem.
“This conveys two distinct messages. It’s good that more people were diagnosed with and treated for tuberculosis. However, TB is becoming more prevalent, which is a serious issue.
An estimated 10 million families deal with tuberculosis (TB) each year, along with all of the associated expenses and repercussions. Ten million more people will have to deal with TB next year unless we take some action.
“The problem is that we are still not seeing a decrease in cases despite treating eight million people. The ongoing impact of interrupted care during COVID-19 could be one of the causes. But the main reason is that the way we currently treat tuberculosis does not prevent its spread.
Current TB policies are inactive and wait for patients to develop symptoms that prompt them to seek medical attention. We now know, however, that at least half of infectious TB is probably asymptomatic, and we have demonstrated that most transmission is missed even in the case of ideal operations for our current policies.
“New approaches are required to combat tuberculosis. To stop the spread of TB and shield people from long-term lung damage, we must detect it early rather than waiting until patients are seriously ill and spread the disease to others. An efficient vaccine is the other top priority, but we shouldn’t wait for it to happen—it will be at least a few years.
“With this report, we must ensure that TB research and discussions continue to be a top priority worldwide in order to support TB patients, their families, and those fighting the disease on the front lines. “.
