Tuberculosis In The UK - Health Protection Agency Publishes Annual Report

Main Category: Tuberculosis
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 07 Nov 2007 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

The Health Protection Agency has published latest figures on tuberculosis (TB) showing that a total of 8,497 TB cases were reported in the UK as a whole in 2006, which is similar to 2005. In 2006 , 8,113 cases were reported for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which is the same as in 2005; 384 cases were reported in Scotland.

Ibrahim Abubakar , Head of the Tuberculosis Section at the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections, said: "This year's report Tuberculosis in the UK shows that in 2006 both the number of TB cases and the rate were very similar to 2005. It is too early to judge, however, whether this is a sign of a slow down in the long term increase which we've seen over the last two decades.

"Although levels of TB among the general population continue to be low, in some areas of the UK , such as the inner cities, it is clear that rates of TB remain high. The majority of TB cases in the UK occurred in young adults aged 15-44 years with the London region accounting for the largest proportion of cases (40%) and the highest rate (44.8 per 100,000).

"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."

Professor Peter Borriello , Director of the HPA Centre for Infections, said: "TB is a global health issue and continues to be a major public health problem in the UK which is why it remains a priority for the Agency.

"This is the first time our annual TB report has included data on Scotland which will allow us to obtain a UK-wide perspective on the number of people with TB. It will enable us to look at the nature and extent of the disease in the different countries and regions of the UK and take appropriate action based on this information.

"The report provides a summary of TB in the UK which includes information on drug resistance and treatment outcomes. It also has examples of the part the Agency plays in controlling TB in the community, and how the Agency is contributing to current, leading edge research and developments that should help deal with the problem."

1. TB is a disease caused by a germ usually spread in the air. It is caught from another person who has TB of the lungs when that person coughs or sneezes. TB usually affects the lungs, but can affect other parts of the body. Infection with the TB germ may not develop into TB disease. 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. TB disease develops slowly in the body, and it usually takes several months for symptoms to appear. 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

2. The data for 2006 show that:

- 8,113 cases of TB were reported in England , Wales and Northern Ireland .

- 8,497 TB cases were reported in the UK (which includes Scotland ).

- 8,497 represents a rate of 14.0 cases per 100,000 population in 2006 compared with a rate of 14.1 per 100,000 in 2005.

- The highest rate of disease was observed in the London region (44.8 per 100,000) which accounted for 40% of the total number of reported cases.

- London had the highest number of cases, 3362, followed by West Midlands which had 941 cases.

- Northern Ireland , the North East and Wales had the least cases:
. Northern Ireland - 62
. North East - 144
. Wales - 189

3. There has been a steady increase in the number of TB cases in recent years as can be seen from these final figures, available up to 2006:

2000 - 6,323
2001 - 6,652
2002 - 6,861
2003 - 6,970
2004 - 7,321
2005 - 8,113 (including Scotland 8,477)
2006 - 8,113 (including Scotland 8,497)

4. To view reports and information please go to the HPA website.

http://www.hpa.org.uk