Tuberculosis Reclaims Its Position as the Leading Infectious Disease Killer
Tuberculosis (TB) has regained its status as the leading infectious disease killer worldwide, surpassing COVID-19, as revealed in a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO). With nearly 8.2 million new diagnoses in 2023—the highest since monitoring began in 1995—public health leaders are facing a complex challenge to combat this resilient illness.
Despite the upward trend in new cases, the WHO noted a slight decline in TB-related deaths, from 1.32 million in 2022 to 1.25 million in 2023. The report indicates that men accounted for the majority of cases at 55%, while women constituted 33%, and children 12%.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed his outrage, stating, ‘The fact that TB still kills and sickens so many people is an outrage, when we have the tools to prevent it, detect it, and treat it.’ He urged nations to fulfill their commitments to expand TB control measures.
The report identifies five major risk factors contributing to the rise in TB cases: undernutrition, HIV infection, alcohol use disorders, smoking, and diabetes. WHO emphasizes that global funding remains a significant barrier to effective TB prevention and care, particularly in low-income countries that bear 98% of the disease burden.
As a disease primarily affecting the lungs, TB can also impact other parts of the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals may not exhibit symptoms initially, but testing can reveal the disease’s presence. With symptoms including prolonged cough, chest pain, and fatigue, TB is transmitted through the air between individuals.
While a vaccine for TB exists, it is not commonly used in the U.S., highlighting the challenges of disease prevention in developed nations. The WHO’s report reopens the conversation about TB’s status in global health, calling for renewed action and funding to combat this age-old disease, as part of broader efforts to enhance public health systems across the globe.
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