From Ancient to Modern Menace: Global Battle Against TB Continues

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a serious illness that affects the lungs. TB is spread through the air from person-to-person when the infected person coughs, sneezes or sings. Despite being one of the oldest known infectious diseases and having significant medical advances, it remains to be a global threat today. It’s essential to care about this disease so we can protect ourselves and our community.

The Global Impact of Tuberculosis

According to the World Health Organization , worldwide, TB is the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19. TB places a heavy burden on healthcare systems, especially in countries with high number of cases and limited resources. To meet a global target agreed upon at a 2018 United Nations meeting on TB, annually, $13 billion USD is needed for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Even though TB is preventable and curable, it persists due to multifaceted reasons including social, economic and biological reasons, making TB not just a medical issue but a social issue as well.

Why should we care about TB?

Highly Contagious: TB is an airborne disease, making it highly contagious. This means that anyone can get it, therefore emphasizing the need for vigilance and protection.

Drug Resistance: This occurs when TB medication is used inappropriately, though incorrect prescription, poor-quality drugs or by stopping treatment pre-maturely. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to isoniazid and rifampicin, the 2 most effective first-line TB drugs.

Global Health Security: TB occurs in every part of the world. According to WHO, in 2022, the largest number of new TB cases occurred in the South-East Asian Region (46%), followed by the African Region (23%) and the Western Pacific (18%).

How can we protect ourselves and our community?

If you are at increased risk, such as weakened immune system (ex: HIV), or diabetes, get a skin test for TB infection.

If you are travelling, visit a healthcare provider or a travel health clinic 6 weeks before your leave.

If you are prescribed TB medication, ensure you see the full course of treatment.

Practice good hygiene such as avoiding contact with other people and wearing mask if you are diagnosed with TB

The battle against tuberculosis (TB) remains a critical global health challenge, indicating the importance of worldwide efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat this persistent disease.

As we observe World TB Day on March 24th, let us remind ourselves of our shared responsibility to tackle this ongoing threat to public health, striving towards a healthier, TB-free future for all.

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