Cases of Tuberculosis remain high

24 March 2009

Everyone has a role to play in containing and preventing the spread of TB.

That's the message from the Health Protection Agency North West as new data published today to mark World TB Day (March 24 2009) show that TB figures remain high nationally and regionally.

Nationally, TB cases increased by 2% from 8,496 reported in 2007 to 8,679 in 2008. Here in the North West the figures appear to have stabilised at the comparatively high level of 758 cases reported in 2008 (provisional data, subject to amendment), compared to 760 in 2007.

As in previous years, the majority of the North West cases were in Greater Manchester with 465 cases reported in 2008 (again provisional data) compared to 460 cases in 2007. Encouragingly the number of pulmonary TB cases in Greater Manchester was slightly down in 2008 with 216 reports compared to 233 in 2007.

The figure for Cumbria and Lancashire was little changed with 190 cases reported in 2008 compared to 197 in 2007. These figures include 96 cases of pulmonary TB reported in 2008 compared to 97 in 2007. The majority of the cases were reported in Blackburn and East and Central Lancashire.

The Cheshire and Merseyside situation was static with 103 cases reported in 2008, identical to the 2007 figure.

Dr. Marko Petrovic, the HPA's TB lead for the North West Region, said: "We seem to have reached a plateau here in the North West with the provisional data for 2008 little different from the validated data for 2007.

"TB levels are low in the general population, but they remain worryingly high in our inner cities. Many of the reported cases are in people who have links with countries where TB is widespread, but this is a disease that can affect any one of us, so it is important for everyone to be aware of the symptoms and to seek medical advice whenever it is suspected. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of infectious cases is the key to halting the spread of disease in the wider population."

TB is an infection caused by bacteria spreading in the air when a person with a TB infection in the lung coughs or sneezes. It usually affects the lungs (pulmonary TB), but can affect other parts of the body too. TB infection develops slowly in the body, and it usually takes several months for symptoms to appear. Symptoms include:

Fever and night sweats
Persistent cough
Losing weight
Blood in your sputum (phlegm or spit) at any time

There are a number of simple facts about TB that health professionals and the general public alike should be mindful of.

TB is generally curable. It is usually treated with a six-month course of antibiotics, which MUST be completed in order to discourage recurrence of disease or drug resistance. Patients generally cease to be infectious after just two weeks on treatment.
It is unusual to catch TB simply by sitting next to an infected person on the train or bus. The infection normally requires prolonged and close contact in order to spread from person to person.
Only about a quarter of TB cases in the UK have the 'open' form of the disease which is potentially infectious for others. Most cases present little or no risk to others.
TB affects children and adults differently. It is very uncommon to catch TB from a child with the disease.
At TB clinics where the disease is treated, there is no prescription charge - the treatment is free for the patient.

Prof Maria Zambon, Director of the Agency's Centre for Infections, said:

"TB is preventable and treatable - health professionals and the general public alike should be mindful of these key, simple facts about TB.

"The Agency is working closely with health professionals to continually develop ways of controlling TB, including the provision of a specialist network of laboratories which test TB to identify strains and check for drug resistance."

Notes to editors:

1. Provisional new tuberculosis cases by region/country, UK, 2005-2008

					% change in numbers
Region/country	2005	2006	2007	2008	05-Jun	06-Jul	07-Aug
East Midlands	563	579	574	535	3%	-1%	-7%
East of England	474	446	359	474	-6%	-20%	32%
London	3541	3445	3333	3415	-3%	-3%	2%
North East	136	145	199	172	7%	37%	-14%
North West	749	764	759	758	2%	-1%	0%
Northern Ireland	76	61	65	59	-20%	7%	-9%
Scotland	362	384	401	455	6%	4%	13%
South East	508	645	727	692	27%	13%	-5%
South West	268	280	273	268	4%	-3%	-2%
Wales	164	168	193	167	2%	15%	-13%
West Midlands	938	984	941	1027	5%	-4%	9%
Yorkshire & the Humber	591	654	672	657	11%	3%	-2%
UK	8370	8555	8496	8679	2%	-1%	2%

2. For further information about TB and to download a copy of this year's newsletter please visit http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1191942150134?p=1191942150134

3 Press release issued by Hugh Lamont, Communications Manager, HPA North West, tel. 0151-482-5728 or 07764-906508.

Last reviewed: 27 May 2010