Almost 1,000 suspected cases of a Victorian disease have been diagnosed in England and Wales in the first three months of 2024, new data suggests. In the first 10 weeks of this year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has received notifications of 919 suspected cases of tuberculosis or TB in England, which is up from 878 during the same period of 2023.
Another 14 suspected cases have been seen this year in Wales – up from 12 in the first 10 weeks of last year.
These are notifications sent by GPs to the UKHSA when they diagnose an infection, they believe to be the infectious bug. They are used to prompt local investigation and action to control disease.
Tuberculosis is responsible for more deaths worldwide than almost any other bug. The infection remains the second-leading killer after COVID-19.
In 2022, the Victorian disease caused the death of 1.3 million people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). In the same year, there were 182 deaths in England and Wales, up from 168 in 2021.
While the data from 2022 was below pre-pandemic figures, the UKHSA shared infections are now back on rise. The figures from 2023 show there were 4,850 cases of TB in England last year – an 11 percent increase from 4,380 cases in 2022.
And the first 10 weeks of 2024 are already seeing suspected 1,000 people ill with the superbug. The highest number of cases have been seen in Birmingham (38), followed by Brent (25), Bradford (24) and Manchester (24).
You can see the number of cases in your local area using our interactive map below.
Worldwide, the highest number of cases are in people born outside the UK, especially in countries, including South Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe.
In the UK, tuberculosis is more common among people who experience homelessness, and drug and alcohol dependency.
The infection that affects the lungs spreads by close contact with anyone who has TB. When someone with active TB coughs, they release small droplets containing the bacteria into the air. You can then catch the bug if you breathe in these droplets over a long period.
However, a new study found that people who show no signs of the disease could also be spreading the infection. Even those who don’t suffer from a cough can carry the infectious disease in their spit, which can be spewed into the air when someone talks or breathes.
Apart from chronic cough, other symptoms of TB include fever, chills, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and coughing up blood.
Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, said: “We need collective action to tackle TB and we are working with partners across the health system to understand how we can best refocus efforts to stamp out this preventable and treatable infection.
“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 a range of other issues, including TB. Please speak to your GP if you think you could be at risk.”
The NHS recommends asking for an urgent GP appointment or getting help from NHS 111 if you cough up blood.
