Tuberculosis Returns as World's Top Infectious Killer
The report underscores the critical need to translate commitments made at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB into tangible actions.
GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its 2024 Global Tuberculosis Report, revealing a concerning trend: tuberculosis (TB) has likely surpassed COVID-19 as the world’s leading infectious disease killer, writes Winston Mwale.
The report highlights the pandemic's lasting impact on TB services, resulting in increased incidence and deaths.
Pandemic Disruptions Fuel TB Surge
The report estimates that 10.8 million people fell ill with TB in 2023, a slight increase from 2022 and significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
This continued rise is attributed to the aftermath of COVID-19 disruptions, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment.
“WHO’s Global tuberculosis report for 2024 reveals a sobering reality: TB has probably returned to being the world’s leading infectious disease killer,” warned Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme.
The report emphasizes the urgent need to address the challenges posed by funding shortfalls, the financial burden on TB-affected households, climate change, conflict, and migration.
Dr. Kasaeva stressed the importance of a united effort, stating, "It is imperative that we unite across all sectors and stakeholders, to confront these pressing issues and ramp up our efforts, transforming our promises into tangible resources and unwavering resolve."
Positive Trends Emerge
Despite the bleak outlook, the report identifies positive trends, including a slowing down of the global rise in new TB cases and a continued decline in TB deaths.
The WHO African and European regions have made considerable strides towards reducing TB incidence and mortality rates.
Urgent Action Needed to Reach Global Targets
The report underscores the critical need to translate commitments made at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB into tangible actions.
Progress towards the 2027 global targets remains insufficient. For instance, only 48% of newly diagnosed TB cases received rapid testing in 2023, falling short of the 100% target. Treatment coverage reached 75% in 2023, still below the 90% goal.
“Ending TB requires that commitments made at the 2023 UN high-level meeting on TB are translated into action,” the report emphasizes.
Funding Shortfalls Hinder Progress
A significant obstacle is the persistent funding gap for TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.
In 2023, only US$5.7 billion was available in low- and middle-income countries, a mere 26% of the US$22 billion target for 2027. "Substantial increases in both domestic and international funding for TB are urgently required," the report urges.
Multisectoral Approach Key to Ending TB
The report stresses the importance of a multisectoral approach to combat TB effectively.
Addressing risk factors such as undernutrition, HIV infection, alcohol use disorders, smoking, and diabetes is crucial. The WHO emphasizes the need for "multisectoral action to address the broader determinants that influence TB epidemics."
Research and Innovation Offer Hope
While acknowledging progress in developing new TB diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines, the report highlights the need for increased investment in research and innovation.
Funding for TB research reached US$1 billion in 2022, which is only 20% of the 2027 target of US$5 billion.
The WHO emphasizes, "Effective vaccines are critical to achieve annual global and national reductions in TB incidence and mortality that are much faster than those achieved historically."
The 2024 Global Tuberculosis Report serves as a wake-up call to the global community, urging for intensified efforts and increased investments to effectively combat the resurgent TB epidemic.
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