Cases of tuberculosis are on the rise, and one local council has issued a warning to residents – the Victorian-era disease can be deadly, but is curable with early diagnosis and treatment
Stats from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show infection rates are up(Image: Getty Images)
Medics have issued a warning amid a surge in cases of a potentially deadly Victorian-era disease.
Figures released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in October showed there were 5,490 notifications of tuberculosis (TB) in England in 2024. That was a 13% increase – or more than 600 additional cases – from 4,831 notifications in 2023, which was itself 11% higher than in 2022.
Amid the climbing rates of infection, local councils are urging residents to be aware of the symptoms of the disease, which mainly affects the lungs, but can affect any part of the body, including bones and the brain.
TB – which used to be known as “consumption” – caused the deaths of an estimated four million people between 1851 and 1910 in England and Wales. It was the scourge of the 18th and 19th centuries and featured heavily in the literature of the time, with authors Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Samuel Richardson all referencing the disease.
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Worldwide, TB killed an estimated 1.25 million people in 2023, making it the leading infectious disease killer in the world, surpassing Covid-19.
Coventry City Council said its public health team is now working with health services to boost access to TB testing and treatment, Coventry Live reports. Council public health boss Coun Kamran Caan said: “We’re seeing TB cases rising nationally and we want to ensure everyone in Coventry knows the symptoms to look out for.
“TB is a serious condition, but the key message is that it’s curable with early diagnosis and treatment. If you have a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, please get checked by your GP.
“Testing and treatment are completely free for everyone, regardless of your circumstances, so please don’t delay – early action can make all the difference to your health and helps prevent TB spreading to others.”
Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, said: “TB is curable and preventable, but the disease remains a serious public health issue in England. If you have moved to England from a country where TB is more common, please be aware of the symptoms of TB so you can get promptly tested and treated through your GP surgery.
“Not every persistent cough, along with a fever, is caused by flu or COVID-19. A cough that usually has mucus and lasts longer than three weeks can be caused by a range of other issues, including TB. Please speak to your GP if you think you could be at risk.”
England now has a rate of 9.4 notifications per 100,000 people, just below the WHO’s low-incidence threshold and up from 8.5 per 100,000 people in 2023. However, that is still well below this century’s peak of 15.6 notifications per 100,000 in 2011.
TB is spread when a person with the disease in their lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. Anyone can get it, but people are most at risk if they have been in regular contact with a person with infectious TB, have come to the UK from a country where TB is common, or have a weakened immune system due to health conditions or medical treatment such as chemotherapy.
Symptoms include a cough that lasts longer than three weeks and may contain mucus or blood, as well as:
A high temperatureDrenching night sweatsLoss of appetiteUnexplained weight lossFeeling tired or exhaustedDifficulty gaining weight or growing (in children)