Health

England faces sharp rise in tuberculosis cases amid growing drug resistance and urban disparities

Monday, 27 October 2025 5:07AM UTC

Tuberculosis infections in England surged by nearly 14 per cent in 2024, marking the largest annual increase since surveillance began, with urban hotspots and socio-economic factors driving the alarming trend and raising concerns over drug-resistant strains.

Tuberculosis (TB) infections in England have surged sharply in recent years, with official figures revealing a troubling upward trajectory that has reversed previous progress in controlling the disease. In 2024, notifications of TB cases rose by nearly 14 percent year on year—the largest annual increase since national surveillance began—reaching 5,490 cases compared to 4,831 in 2023, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Provisional data for the first half of 2025 indicates a further increase of nearly 4 percent, signalling that the rise is continuing.

This resurgence reverses a long-term downward trend in TB incidence since earlier highs in 2012. Despite England remaining classified as a low-incidence country for TB, the notification rate rose from 8.5 to 9.5 per 100,000 population in 2024, edging closer to the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold for low incidence, set at 10 cases per 100,000. These developments mean England is not on track to meet the WHO's target to reduce TB incidence by 90 percent by 2035, underscoring the need for renewed public health efforts.

TB is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteria. It primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body such as lymph nodes, bones, and the brain, sometimes leading to severe complications like meningitis. The disease spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include a persistent cough lasting longer than three weeks, high fever, drenching night sweats, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss—symptoms which can often be mistaken for flu or COVID-19. Although potentially fatal if untreated, TB is curable with early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment.

The recent surge in cases is concentrated predominantly in urban areas, with London and the West Midlands reporting the largest increases. Other regions experiencing notable rises include Yorkshire and the Humber and the South West. London, in particular, recorded the highest regional rate at 20.6 cases per 100,000 population. Social factors play a significant role in the distribution of TB. Individuals born outside of the UK accounted for over 80 percent of TB notifications in England in 2024, though increases were seen in both UK-born and non-UK-born populations. There is a strong association between TB prevalence and socio-economic deprivation; people living in the most deprived areas of England face infection rates five times higher than those in the most affluent regions. Additional risk factors include homelessness, drug and alcohol dependence, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

The rise in cases is also accompanied by an uptick in drug-resistant forms of TB. Reports indicate that 2.2 percent of laboratory-confirmed TB cases showed resistance to multiple drugs, requiring more complex and prolonged treatment. This marks the highest level of drug-resistant TB recorded in England since 2012, adding complexity to public health responses.

In response to these alarming trends, the UKHSA has urged healthcare providers to maintain high vigilance for TB symptoms and to encourage early testing and treatment to help break chains of transmission. The agency emphasises that TB is preventable and curable, with data showing that over 84 percent of patients complete treatment within 12 months. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks are advised to seek medical advice promptly.

Looking ahead, the UKHSA has launched a call for evidence to help inform the development of the next five-year Tuberculosis National Action Plan (2026–2031). This plan aims to strengthen prevention, detection, and efforts to reduce health inequalities associated with TB. Renewed and targeted action is viewed as critical to reversing the rising trend of tuberculosis and achieving closer alignment with WHO elimination goals.

Overall, while TB remains a manageable disease with effective treatment available, the current increases in England’s TB cases highlight persistent challenges related to social determinants of health, urban concentration, and the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Public health experts stress that sustained vigilance, early diagnosis, and holistic approaches addressing underlying inequalities will be essential in combating the renewed threat TB poses to population health.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (The Independent), ^[2] (gov.uk), ^[5] (adph.org.uk)
Paragraph 2 – ^[1] (The Independent), ^[2] (gov.uk), ^[3] (gov.uk)
Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (The Independent)
Paragraph 4 – ^[1] (The Independent), ^[2] (gov.uk), ^[4] (adph.org.uk), ^[5] (adph.org.uk)
Paragraph 5 – ^[1] (The Independent), ^[5] (adph.org.uk)
Paragraph 6 – ^[5] (adph.org.uk), ^[1] (The Independent)
Paragraph 7 – ^[6] (gov.uk), ^[5] (adph.org.uk)
Paragraph 8 – ^[1] (The Independent), ^[5] (adph.org.uk)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/tuberculosis-symptoms-uk-cases-rising-b2852534.html - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tuberculosis-cases-in-england-continued-to-increase-in-2024 - In 2024, tuberculosis (TB) cases in England rose by 13% compared to 2023, with 5,480 notifications recorded. This marks the largest annual increase since national surveillance began. The TB notification rate increased from 8.5 to 9.5 per 100,000 population. Despite the rise, England remains a low-incidence country for TB. The majority of TB cases (81.5%) were in individuals born outside the UK, though increases were observed in both UK-born and non-UK-born populations. TB continues to be associated with deprivation and is more common in large urban areas, with the largest increases in London and the West Midlands.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tuberculosis-in-england-national-quarterly-reports/national-quarterly-report-of-tuberculosis-in-england-quarter-4-2024-provisional-data - Provisional data for 2024 indicates a 13% increase in TB notifications in England, rising from 4,850 to 5,480 cases. The TB notification rate increased from 8.5 to 9.5 per 100,000 population. England remains just below the World Health Organization's threshold of 10 per 100,000 for low-incidence countries. The majority of TB cases (81.5%) were in individuals born outside the UK, with increases observed in both UK-born and non-UK-born populations. The largest increases were recorded in London and the West Midlands. The number of rifampicin-resistant or multidrug-resistant TB notifications increased slightly compared to 2023.
https://www.adph.org.uk/networks/london/2025/01/30/tuberculosis-cases-in-england-continued-to-increase/ - In 2024, TB cases in England increased by 13% compared to 2023, with 5,480 notifications recorded. This continues the upward trend observed over recent years. England remains a low-incidence country for TB, but the notification rate increased from 8.5 to 9.5 per 100,000 population. Notably, 81.5% of all TB notifications in 2024 were among individuals born outside the UK, though increases were seen in both UK-born and non-UK-born populations. TB remains associated with deprivation and is more prevalent in large urban areas, with the largest increases in London and the West Midlands.
https://www.adph.org.uk/networks/london/2025/10/09/tb-rates-in-england-continue-to-increase-in-2024/ - New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows a 13.6% increase in TB cases in England in 2024, with 5,490 notifications compared to 4,831 in 2023. Despite the rise, the overall risk to the general population remains low, and TB is both preventable and curable—84.4% of patients complete treatment within 12 months. The increase reflects global trends and continues to be linked to social determinants such as deprivation and urban living. London recorded the highest regional rate at 20.6 per 100,000. TB remains more prevalent among people born outside the UK, though rates have risen in both UK-born and non-UK-born populations. Drug-resistant TB reached its highest level since 2012, with 2.2% of lab-confirmed cases showing resistance to multiple drugs, requiring more complex treatment. UKHSA urges early identification and treatment to break transmission chains. A persistent cough lasting more than three weeks may be a symptom—individuals at risk are encouraged to contact their GP. The government is developing a new TB National Action Plan (2026–2031), focusing on prevention, detection, and reducing health inequalities.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-launches-call-for-evidence-to-tackle-rising-tb - The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is launching a call for evidence to help shape the next 5-year Tuberculosis (TB) National Action Plan for England, which will run from 2026 to 2031. The latest data for England show that TB rates are rising, and TB epidemiology is changing. TB rates are diverging further from the trajectory required to achieve WHO elimination targets and renewed action is necessary to keep rates below the WHO-defined low-incidence threshold of 10 cases per 100,000 population. In 2023, England recorded its largest annual increase (11%) in TB cases since enhanced surveillance began in 2000. Provisional figures for 2024 indicate a further 13% rise in TB notifications compared to 2023, continuing the upward trend.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative reports a 13.6% increase in TB cases in 2024, with provisional data indicating a further 3.9% rise in the first half of 2025. This aligns with official UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data published on 9 October 2025. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tb-rates-in-england-continue-to-increase-in-2024?utm_source=openai)) The Independent article was published on 26 October 2025, indicating timely reporting. However, the article includes detailed background information on TB, which may be recycled from previous reports. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material suggests a moderate freshness score.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The article includes direct quotes from Dr. Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, urging prompt testing and treatment for TB symptoms. A similar quote from Dr. Robinson was published in the UKHSA's 30 January 2025 report. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tuberculosis-cases-in-england-continued-to-increase-in-2024?utm_source=openai)) The Independent article does not provide a direct link to this source, which may indicate a lack of originality in the quotes used. The wording of the quotes appears consistent, suggesting potential reuse of content.

Source reliability

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable UK news outlet. The UKHSA is a credible source for health-related information. However, the article does not provide direct links to the UKHSA reports, which could affect transparency.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The article's claims about the rise in TB cases in England are consistent with official UKHSA data. The reported figures and trends align with those published by the UKHSA. The article's tone and language are appropriate for the topic and region. However, the inclusion of detailed background information on TB may be seen as excessive or off-topic, potentially distracting from the main focus.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative reports a significant increase in TB cases in England, supported by official data from the UKHSA. However, the use of recycled content, including quotes from previous UKHSA reports without direct attribution, raises concerns about originality. The article's timely reporting and alignment with official data support its credibility, but the lack of direct links to sources and potential reuse of content warrant further scrutiny.

Tuberculosis
Public Health
England
Disease Resurgence
Health Inequalities