UK warns residents against ignoring coughs as TB cases surge
Tuberculosis cases in England surged by 13 per cent in 2024, marking a continued rise in recent years, according to new data published on Thursday by the UK Health Security Agency.
PUNCH Online reports that the UKHSA shared this on the official government website in a release titled, “Tuberculosis cases in England continued to increase in 2024.”
The latest figures show 5,480 reported TB cases, up from 4,850 in 2023, with the TB notification rate increasing from 8.5 to 9.5 per 100,000 people.
While England remains a low-incidence country, London and the West Midlands saw the sharpest spikes, particularly in deprived urban areas.
Non-UK-born residents most affected
A staggering 81.5 per cent of TB cases in 2024 were reported in non-UK-born individuals, although both UK-born and non-UK-born populations saw an increase, the release revealed.
Among UK-born individuals, TB remains prevalent in groups facing homelessness, substance abuse, and links to the criminal justice system.
Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, warned: “TB remains a serious public health issue in England.
“If you have moved to England from a country where TB is more common, please be aware of the symptoms so you can get promptly tested and treated through your GP.”
She urged the public not to dismiss persistent coughs as flu or COVID-19.
“Not every persistent cough, along with a fever, is caused by flu or COVID-19. A cough that usually has mucus and lasts longer than three weeks can be caused by TB. Please speak to your GP if you think you could be at risk,” Robinson added.
Global killer on the rise
TB is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, surpassing COVID-19.
It spreads through close, prolonged contact when an infected person coughs, releasing airborne bacteria.
The release also shared that key symptoms include: a cough lasting more than 3 weeks high fever and night sweats, weight loss and loss of appetite, and swollen glands or painful joints (if TB spreads beyond the lungs).
Further details on the government website reiterated that TB test continues to be a mandatory requirement for visa applicants staying in the UK for six months or more from certain high-risk countries.
However, TB can also lie dormant for years before becoming active, making early testing and treatment crucial, it added.
With cases on the rise, health officials are calling for greater awareness, early diagnosis, and treatment adherence to curb the spread of this deadly disease.
