Tuberculosis Cases Rise, Deaths Fall: WHO

Introduction to Tuberculosis

The number of people diagnosed with tuberculosis worldwide rose again last year, eclipsing 2023’s record total, World Health Organization officials said Wednesday. About 8.3 million people across the globe were reported as newly diagnosed with TB in 2024. Not all infections are diagnosed and the new numbers represent 78% of the estimated number of people who actually fell ill last year, the WHO noted.

Rise in Diagnoses and Improvement in Screening

WHO officials see the increase as an indication that screening and treatment are improving after health care disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, the number of deaths caused by TB fell in 2024 to 1.23 million, down from 1.25 million the year before. This trend suggests that despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, efforts to combat tuberculosis are yielding positive results.

Tuberculosis in the United States

U.S. tuberculosis cases continued to rise last year — reaching the highest level in more than a dozen years, according to preliminary data released earlier this year. The vast majority of U.S. TB cases are diagnosed in people born in other countries. This highlights the need for continued vigilance and improved screening, especially among populations that are at higher risk of infection.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that attack the lungs, and is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs or sneezes. Roughly a quarter of the global population is estimated to have TB, but only a fraction develop symptoms. It can be fatal if not treated, and is one of the top causes of death worldwide.

Global Efforts and Funding

The WHO releases a TB report every year. The latest is based on data from 184 countries. Funding for fighting the disease was already stagnating, and experts worry about a possible backslide in the battle following recent spending cuts by the U.S. government and other funders. The continued support from organizations like the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is crucial in the fight against tuberculosis.

Conclusion

The rise in tuberculosis diagnoses to a record high, coupled with a decrease in deaths, indicates that while there is still much work to be done, efforts to improve screening and treatment are showing promise. However, the stagnation in funding poses a significant threat to the progress made so far. It is essential for global health organizations, governments, and funders to continue their support and work together to combat tuberculosis effectively.

FAQs

• What is tuberculosis? Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and can be fatal if not treated.
• How is tuberculosis spread? It is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs or sneezes.
• What are the global statistics on tuberculosis? About 8.3 million people were diagnosed with TB in 2024, and 1.23 million deaths were reported.
• Why are tuberculosis cases rising in the U.S.? The rise is attributed to an increase in cases among people born in other countries, highlighting the need for improved screening and treatment.
• Is funding for tuberculosis research and treatment decreasing? Yes, funding was already stagnating, and recent spending cuts by the U.S. government and other funders pose a risk to the progress made in combating the disease.
  

  By MIKE STOBBE, Associated Press

  NEW YORK (AP) — The number of people diagnosed with tuberculosis worldwide rose again last year, eclipsing 2023’s record total, World Health Organization officials said Wednesday.

  About 8.3 million people across the globe were reported as newly diagnosed with TB in 2024. Not all infections are diagnosed and the new numbers represent 78% of the estimated number of people who actually fell ill last year, the WHO noted.

WHO officials see the increase as an indication that screening and treatment are improving after health care disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, the number of deaths caused by TB fell in 2024 to 1.23 million, down from 1.25 million the year before.

U.S. tuberculosis cases continued to rise last year — reaching the highest level in more than a dozen years, according to preliminary data released earlier this year. The vast majority of U.S. TB cases are diagnosed in people born in other countries.

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that attack the lungs, and is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs or sneezes. Roughly a quarter of the global population is estimated to have TB, but only a fraction develop symptoms. It can be fatal if not treated, and is one of the top causes of death worldwide.

The WHO releases a TB report every year. The latest is based on data from 184 countries. Funding for fighting the disease was already stagnating, and experts worry about a possible backslide in the battle following recent spending cuts by the U.S. government and other funders.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.