England's Tuberculosis Outbreak Increased 10%

The global tuberculosis outbreak continues to impact millions of people in 192 countries and areas. As of 2023, the United Kingdom is no exception.  

According to the annual report of UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on tuberculosis, there was a 10.7% increase in the number of tuberculosis cases in England in 2023, compared to 2022.

Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, said in a press release on February 15, 2024, "A cough that usually has mucus and lasts longer than three weeks can be caused by a range of other issues, including TB."

"Please speak to your GP if you think you could be at risk."

In 2022, TB notification rates varied widely across England, with the highest in London (1,575 individuals, rate of 17.9 per 100,000) and the lowest in the South West.

People with TB continue to be concentrated in large urban areas, with the highest TB notification rates being in Newham (London) and Leicester City (East Midlands).

In 2022, non-UK-born individuals continued to account for 79.1% of TB notifications in England.

People born in countries in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Nigeria, and Romania experience the highest number of cases.

The UKHSA continues to work with partners on a TB action plan, which sets out steps to improve the prevention and detection of TB.

However, the U.K. has reduced access to TB prevention vaccines.

In the United States, the U.S. CDC reported in November 2023 that TB cases increased by 5% in 2022, with 60 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and territories provisionally reporting 8,331 TB cases.

Furthermore, about 13 million people in the U.S. are living with latent TB infection.