Map reveals ‘world’s deadliest infection’ hotspots as case of Victorian disease spread
THE areas where you are most likely to catch tuberculosis have been revealed on a map, as health chiefs warn infections are on the rise.
London is the national hotspot for the infection, which was called ‘consumption’ by the Victorians.
The Big Smoke logged 29 suspected cases last week, almost three times as many as other badly affected regions.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection that usually affects the lungs. It can be treated with antibiotics but can be serious if not treated.
The BCG vaccine protects people from getting TB but is only given to those at higher risk of getting the infection.
Experts have previously warned an increase in poverty across the UK could be behind the rise in infections.
So far this year, 11395 suspected TB cases have been reported.
The figure is more than twice as high as the 2598 logged during the same time period in 2022 but not quite as concerning as the 15960 cases in 2023.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) publishes notifications of infectious diseases (NOIDs) in England and Wales every week.
From March 11 to March 17, doctors reported 459 suspected TB cases.
The UKHSA gathers the data from medics, who must report suspected cases of certain infectious diseases, such as TB, smallpox and whooping cough.
Most recent data on confirmed cases of the bacterial bug, spread by coughing, suggested infections increased by over ten per cent last year – from 4,380 in 2022 to 4,850 in 2023.
The worrying surge marked the third time infections increased nationally over the past decade.
After the capital, the North West, East of England and the West Midlands came in joint second for areas where you’re most likely to pick up TB.
All three regions saw ten possible cases each.
The South East and Yorkshire followed closely behind, with doctors in the areas reporting nine and eight suspected cases, respectively.
The South West and North East faired better, with both regions reporting just three suspected infections each.
The East Midlands reported two, while doctors in Wales, which saw the lowest rate, reported just one.
Why is TB on the rise?
In February, the Government urged people not to mistake symptoms of the infection for a cold or flu.
They also launched an investigation to determine why cases of TB have increased in England.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) previously said the rise in 2023 was because many people were unable to get a diagnosis or receive treatment during Covid lockdowns.
A separate report found cases of drug-resistant TB had increased by three per cent between 2020 and 2021.
Professor Nick Hopkinson, medical director of the charity Asthma and Lung UK, said: “Given increasing poverty in the UK, in particular child poverty, the increase in tuberculosis cases is unfortunately not surprising.
“There is a well-established link between deprivation and poor lung health. TB is associated with deprivation.
“Poor housing and poor nutrition increase the risk of infection spreading and of infected people developing active disease because their immune systems are weakened.
“Smoking also substantially increases the risk of developing TB.
“Although overall population smoking levels are falling, smoking rates remain higher in more deprived communities.
“TB is treatable, but people with symptoms need to be able to access healthcare – there have been substantial cuts to public health funding since 2010, which are likely to have made the problem worse.
“Preventing lung disease is much cheaper than treating it.”
The 6 symptoms of TB to watch out for
TB is a potentially serious condition, but it can be cured if it's treated with the right antibiotics.
- A persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks and usually brings up phlegm, which may be bloody
- Breathlessness that gradually gets worse
- Lack of appetite and weight loss
- A high temperature
- Night sweats
Source: NHS
What is TB?
TB remains one of the world’s most deadly diseases and the second leading infectious killer after Covid-19.
The bacterial infection spreads in the air when people carrying the bug cough, sneeze or spit.
Symptoms include a cough for more than three weeks, feeling exhausted, a high temperature, weight loss and loss of appetite.
It can be life-threatening, but most cases can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
The infection can spread to your brain, heart, abdomen, glands, bones and nervous system.
People are at higher risk of the disease if they are in close contact with a person known to have the disease, travel to countries with high rates of TB, are homeless, are addicted to drugs, have a weakened immune system or are in prison.
There’s a jab that protects against the bug, but vaccination programmes have been scrapped in several countries over the last 20 years.