Cases of tuberculosis (TB) in the UK have surged markedly, with the latest figures for 2024 revealing a 13.6% rise in notifications compared to the previous year. According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there were 5,490 reported cases in 2024, up from 4,831 in 2023. London remains the region most affected, registering the highest rate at 20.6 cases per 100,000 people, followed by the West Midlands at 11.5 per 100,000. While the majority of TB patients—approximately 82%—were born outside the UK, there has also been a concerning increase in cases among UK-born individuals, signalling a broader public health issue beyond immigrant communities.
Tuberculosis, often dismissed as a Victorian-era disease, continues to pose a significant health threat. It is preventable and curable, with 84.4% of affected patients completing treatment within a year. However, the rise in drug-resistant TB cases is alarming, as these require longer and more complicated treatment regimes. The proportion of multi-drug resistant cases reached its highest level since 2012, now constituting 2.2% of laboratory-confirmed infections. This development complicates efforts to control the disease and underscores the need for enhanced medical vigilance and resources.
Public health experts warn that the symptoms of TB can easily be mistaken for those of other respiratory illnesses, particularly Covid-19, which remains a common comparator in public consciousness. Both diseases share symptoms such as a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks and fatigue. However, TB symptoms tend to develop gradually and are often accompanied by mucus or blood in the sputum, weight loss, and a general decline in health, without the sudden changes in taste or smell typically associated with Covid-19. The emergence of new Covid variants like Stratus and Nimbus, which can cause hoarseness and throat discomfort, further complicates diagnosis. Experts strongly advise individuals, especially those who have immigrated from countries with higher TB prevalence or who have prolonged symptoms, to seek medical evaluation promptly.
Social determinants such as deprivation, homelessness, drug and alcohol dependence, and contact with the criminal justice system continue to drive TB incidence, particularly among the UK-born population. Crowded living conditions and undernutrition contribute to vulnerability, as do disruptions to healthcare services experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic, which have delayed TB diagnosis and treatment. These factors have likely exacerbated the recent rise in cases after a period of relative decline.
Government and health authorities stress that early detection and treatment are vital to breaking the chain of transmission. Efforts to combat TB must also address health inequalities linked to socioeconomic factors, with strategies targeted at urban centres like London, the West Midlands, and the North West, where the disease remains most prevalent. The UK government is developing a new National Action Plan for TB (2026–2031) aimed at improving prevention, detection, and treatment to curb the disease’s resurgence.
The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, once routinely given, is no longer part of the standard NHS vaccination programme except for those at higher risk, such as certain babies and children, healthcare workers, and people travelling to high-incidence countries.
While TB cases are increasing, the overall risk to the general population remains relatively low, and with proper treatment, the disease is curable. Nonetheless, the recent upward trend, particularly in drug-resistant strains and among UK-born individuals, highlights an urgent public health challenge requiring sustained attention and resources.
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Source: Noah Wire Services