The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a 13% increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases in England in 2024 compared to the previous year, with 5,480 notifications versus 4,850 in 2023. Health officials are urging the public to watch for a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, which could be a sign of the bacterial infection.
TB primarily affects the lungs and spreads through airborne particles. While historically associated with the Victorian era, the disease was largely controlled with vaccines and antibiotics. However, recent data shows a reversal of the previous downward trend, with rates now exceeding pre-COVID levels.
Symptoms include a cough lasting over three weeks, high temperature, night sweats, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss. Although potentially deadly, TB can be cured with early diagnosis and a specific course of antibiotics. The UKHSA emphasises that early detection is critical for the best outcomes.
Urban areas, particularly London, continue to see the highest prevalence. The majority of cases (81.5%) occur in people born outside the UK, while UK-born cases are strongly linked to deprivation, including homelessness, drug or alcohol dependence, and contact with the criminal justice system.
