03/11/06 - Cases of Tuberculosis (TB) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have increased by 10.8% from 7,321 cases reported in 2004 to 8,113 in 2005 according to new figures released by the Health Protection Agency. London has the highest proportion of cases in 2005 (43%) having increased from 3,129 in 2004 to 3,479 in 2005.
Dr John More-Gillon, Chair of the British Thoracic Society Joint TB Committee and President of the British Lung Foundation said, “This 19th century disease is a rapidly increasing threat in 21st century Britain, and these figures are a dramatic demonstration that action to control TB must step up a gear. There have to be initiatives of real substance, not just aspiration, as well as a very strong lead from the Department of Health about what healthcare planners must provide in terms of resources at local level.”
Paul Sommerfeld, Chair of TB Alert said, “Since the Chief Medical Officer’s National Action Plan was published in October 2004, there has been increased effort to deal with TB. These new figures show a significant rise in cases in one year and underline the need to fully fund TB services in all risk areas of the country. This is a particularly worrying time, given the occurrence worldwide of extensively drug resistant strains (XDR-TB). UK TB Services need to be strengthened and not allowed to weaken.”
Dr John Watson, Head of Respiratory Diseases Department at the HPA said, “TB disease is a preventable and treatable condition. The key to reducing levels is through early diagnosis and treatment of infection. To enable this it is crucial that we raise awareness amongst both the public and health professionals of the symptoms of TB. Once cases are diagnosed it is crucial to trace their close contacts to ensure they are also not infected and to also ensure that prescribed courses of treatment are completed.
