{"id":90298,"date":"2018-03-23T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-23T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=4535da3af47fb1053b1b56a395d675d9"},"modified":"2018-03-23T09:30:00","modified_gmt":"2018-03-23T09:30:00","slug":"news-story-tuberculosis-tb-cases-fall-by-over-a-third-in-last-6-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=90298","title":{"rendered":"News story: Tuberculosis (TB) cases fall by over a third in last 6 years"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New Public Health England (PHE) data released for World TB<\/abbr> day<\/a> show a 9.3% decline in cases of TB<\/abbr> in 2017. This represents the lowest rate of TB<\/abbr> in 35 years. This contributes to the 38% decline in the number of people with TB<\/abbr> in England over the last 6 years.<\/p>\n

However, there is still more work to do. TB<\/abbr> is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and England has one of the highest rates in Western Europe with just under 5,200 people affected by TB<\/abbr> in 2017.<\/p>\n

To mark World TB<\/abbr> Day on 24 March 2018, PHE and its partners are supporting the international Stop TB<\/abbr> Partnership and World Health Organisation\u2019s campaign to \u2018Light up the World for TB<\/abbr>\u2019 and illuminate buildings and landmarks across the world in red. This will occur in various locations over the weekend (23 to 25 March 2018). The activity will highlight the continued focus that is required to meet the ultimate ambition of making England TB<\/abbr>-free.<\/p>\n

Dr Sarah Anderson, Head of the National TB<\/abbr> Office, PHE said:<\/p>\n

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We are pleased to announce that we have seen a 9.3% fall in TB<\/abbr> cases in the last year. This continues the declining trend of the last 6 years and is the lowest rate of TB<\/abbr> we have seen in 35 years.<\/p>\n

People often think that TB<\/abbr> is a Victorian disease that is no longer a problem in England but in fact it still affects over 5,000 people a year and there is still a lot to do until the target to eliminate TB<\/abbr> is met.<\/p>\n

We urge everyone to join the fight to confine TB<\/abbr> to history. World TB<\/abbr> Day is an opportunity for people everywhere to be informed about TB<\/abbr>, educate others and urge governments to take action. This global movement will make a powerful statement and show solidarity for people who have been affected by TB<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Infection with the TB<\/abbr> bacteria may not always develop into TB<\/abbr> disease; it can also result in latent (sleeping) TB<\/abbr> and become active TB<\/abbr> later in life. Free testing and treatment of latent TB<\/abbr> is available in England for persons from areas where TB<\/abbr> is common. A new animated film will be launched on World TB<\/abbr> day to raise awareness about this.<\/p>\n

When TB<\/abbr> disease does develop, the vast majority of cases are curable with a 6-month course of specific antibiotics. Testing and treatment for TB<\/abbr> are free and can be easily accessed from a GP.<\/p>\n

TB<\/abbr> is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs, but can affect other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes (glands), the bones and the brain and can lead to serious complications. The most common symptoms of TB<\/abbr> are a persistent cough for more than 3 weeks, unexplained weight loss, fever and night sweats.<\/p>\n

TB<\/abbr> is difficult to catch and you need to spend many hours in close contact with a person with infectious TB<\/abbr> to be at risk of infection. Although TB<\/abbr> can be fatal if left untreated, it is curable for the vast majority of people with a course of antibiotics.<\/p>\n

Background<\/h2>\n

For further information on TB<\/abbr> visit the NHS Choices website<\/a>.
\nFor more information on TB<\/abbr> reduction targets visit Collaborative TB<\/abbr> Strategy for England<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For further information about World TB<\/abbr> Day visit:<\/p>\n