On World TB Day, here are some facts to know about the disease

By Hans Ngala

Every year, March 24 is designated as World TB Day. In 2023, the observation is taking place under the theme “Yes! We can end TB!” 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB). World TB Day is a day to educate the public about the impact of TB around the world”.

While TB can affect almost everyone, those with pre-existing conditions are most at risk of the disease according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Here are some quick facts about the disease:

TB is currently the world’s second-deadliest disease

According to the WHO, TB is the world’s second killer disease after COVID-19 (ahead of HIV). The global health organization reports that “a total of 1.6 million people died from TB in 2021 (including 187 000 people with HIV)”. Ndi, Lukong, and Samje (2022) in their paper titled Prevalence, knowledge, and practices towards tuberculosis prevention in the Bamenda III sub-division, Cameroon, the incidence of TB in Cameroon is estimated as 179 TB cases per 100,000 people.

How is it transmitted?

TB is an airborne infection (spread from person to person through the air). When people with lung TB cough, sneeze, or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person can become infected even if they just inhale (breathe in) a few droplets containing these germs. The WHO states that people infected with TB bacteria have a 5–10% lifetime risk of falling ill with TB. Those with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition, or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a higher risk of falling ill.

The signs and symptoms

When a person develops active TB disease, the symptoms (such as cough, fever, night sweats, or weight loss) may be mild for many months. This can lead to delays in seeking care, and results in the transmission of the bacteria to others. People with active TB can infect 5–15 other people through close contact over the course of a year. Without proper treatment, 45% of HIV-negative people with TB on average, and nearly all HIV-positive people with TB will die.

It is curable

TB is a treatable and curable disease. Drug-susceptible TB disease is treated with a standard 4-month or 6-month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with support to the patient by a health worker or trained treatment supporter. Without such support, treatment adherence is more difficult.

Since 2000, an estimated 74 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment.