Tuberculosis (TB) has once again become the world’s deadliest infectious disease, surpassing COVID-19, according to a recent announcement from the World Health Organization (WHO). The contagious disease, which primarily affects the lungs, was responsible for 1.25 million global deaths in 2023, including 161,000 people with HIV. This marks a significant increase from the previous three years when COVID-19 held the title of the world’s leading infectious killer.
TB is an airborne disease caused by bacteria and can be spread through coughing, sneezing, or saliva. While approximately 25% of people have likely been infected with the bacteria, only 5% to 10% will develop the disease and experience symptoms. Only those with symptoms can spread the disease. Fox News reports that those at the highest risk of developing TB disease after exposure include people with diabetes, weakened immunity, malnutrition, tobacco users, and those who consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Babies and children are also at higher risk.
The WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Report 2024 reveals that approximately 8.2 million people were newly diagnosed with TB in 2023, the highest number recorded since the WHO began global TB monitoring in 1995. This represents a notable increase from 7.5 million reported in 2022. The disease disproportionately affects people in 30 high-burden countries, with India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan accounting for 56% of the global TB burden.
Despite the rise in TB cases, the WHO report highlights some positive trends. The number of TB-related deaths decreased from 1.32 million in 2022 to 1.25 million in 2023, and the total number of people falling ill with TB rose slightly to an estimated 10.8 million in 2023. However, multidrug-resistant TB remains a public health crisis. Of the 400,000 people estimated to have developed multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant TB, only 44% were diagnosed and treated in 2023.
The WHO is urging all countries to expand the use of tools to prevent, detect, and treat TB. However, global funding for TB prevention and care decreased further in 2023 and remains far below target. Only $ 5.7 billion of the $ 22 billion annual funding target was available in 2023, equivalent to only 26% of the global target. The WHO report emphasizes that sustained financial investment is crucial for the success of TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts.
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