TB cases in England increase by 7% in the primary half of 2023

Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that cases of TB in England increased by 7% in the primary half of 2023 in comparison with the identical timeframe in 2022, with 2,408 notifications in comparison with 2,251 in the primary 2 quarters of 2022.

While England stays a low-incidence country for tuberculosis, progress towards elimination has stalled in recent times. Ahead of the United Nations (UN) High Level Meeting on tuberculosis, UKHSA is reminding people who TB is just not just an issue for other countries – it’s impacting increasing numbers of individuals at home.

TB notification rates in England remain highest in people who find themselves originally from parts of the world where TB is more common and people in large urban areas in England that are related to higher levels of deprivation, and in inclusion health groups – a term used to explain people who find themselves socially excluded and typically experience multiple overlapping risk aspects for poor health. This includes those experiencing homelessness or contact with the criminal justice system.

TB disproportionately impacts certain people, partially, on account of the barriers they could face in accessing the interventions designed to discover clinical onset of TB; access to diagnostic and treatment services; ability to self-administer treatment and attendance at follow-ups.

Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, said:

TB is curable and preventable, but despite significant progress towards elimination in recent times, the disease stays a serious public health issue within the UK.

With treatment, most individuals will make a full recovery. It is vitally essential that those with relevant symptoms are tested for TB and appropriate treatment is began promptly, each for the person and for the prevention of onward transmission.

As we head into winter, it will be significant to keep in mind that not every persistent cough, together with a fever, is attributable to flu or COVID-19. A cough that sometimes has mucus and lasts longer than 3 weeks might be attributable to a variety of other issues, including TB.

Tuberculosis develops slowly, and it might take several weeks, months and even years after you were infected before you notice you are unwell. Contact your GP if you happen to think you may be in danger so you possibly can get tested and treated.”

Multi-drug resistance stays a significant concern for TB treatment, but the most recent data indicates that the proportion of individuals with a multi-drug resistant type of the TB bacteria has remained relatively stable in recent times.