TB figures continue to increase
2 December 2009
The number of people developing tuberculosis (TB) continues to increase despite earlier signs of stabilising, according to a report released today by the Health Protection Agency.
Last year in the UK 8,655 cases of TB were reported to the Health Protection Agency which represents an increase of 2.9% from 2007 when 8,411 cases were reported. The burden of this infection remains in the UK's major urban areas, with London reporting 39% of cases.
The number of patients completing treatment has improved for the first time in recent years according to the agency's report, with 81% of patients now completing their TB treatment, a 2% increase on the 79% in the previous year (note; due to the length of time taken to complete TB treatment, the latest available annual figures for completion of treatment are for 2007).
Dr Ibrahim Abubakar, Head of Tuberculosis at the agency's Centre for Infections, said: "Cases of TB remain at their highest since the late 1980s, and efforts to control and accelerate the downward trend must be kept up. We must remain vigilant and keep TB high on the agenda.
"The key to reducing levels of TB is early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. TB is a preventable and treatable condition but if left untreated it can be life threatening.
"The increase in TB cases this year means we cannot be confident that rates are stabilising. In particular, we have observed a 4% increase in the rate of TB among UK born individuals with numbers rising from 1,843 in 2007 to 1,926 in 2008.
"The improvement in treatment completion is promising and will have an impact on onward transmission of the infection in the future. However, we want to see further improvements in the total number of patients completing treatment to bring it up to at least 85%.
"Due to the importance the agency places on controlling TB, we work closely with public health and NHS colleagues on a national and local level to monitor progress towards the goal of controlling and eventually eliminating this disease."
TB is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs. It is spread from person to person when one who has TB of the lungs coughs or sneezes. TB usually affects the lungs, but can affect other parts of the body. Only some people with TB in the lungs are infectious to other people and even then, you need close and prolonged contact with them to be at risk of being infected. Any of the following symptoms may suggest TB:
- Fever and night sweats
- Persistent cough
- Losing weight
- Blood in your sputum (phlegm or spit) at any time
Dr Abubakar said: "The burden of TB exists mainly in high risk groups including hard-to-reach communities in the UK. We continue to work with the Department of Health on outreach programmes to tackle directly the areas and groups with the highest numbers."
Ends
Notes to editors:
For further information on this press release please contact the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections press office on:
Georgina Fletcher 020 8327 6690
David Daley 020 8327 6647
Louise Brown 020 8327 7080
Kate Swan 020 8327 7097
Alexandra Baker 020 8327 7098
Eleanor Bunch 020 8327 7751
For more information on TB or to download a copy of the agency's report please go to the HPA website at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/HPA/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/1191942150134/
Data from this year's report is also available below.
TB Report Data (PDF, 14 KB)Last reviewed: 2 December 2009
