The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that cases of tuberculosis rose by 13% in 2024, with those experiencing symptoms including night sweats, weight loss and a persistent cough urged not to ignore them.
The infectious disease, also called TB, was the leading cause of death in Victorian England, killing around four million people between 1851 and 1910.
The number of cases reported in England rose from 4,850 in 2023 to 5,480 in 2024, the UKHSA said, leading experts to dub it a “serious public health issue”. The agency said around 81.5% of cases were people born outside the UK but added that there was an increase in both UK-born and non-UK born groups.
TB is a bacterial infection usually affecting the lungs that spreads through coughing and sneezing. Developments in antibiotics have made it an easily treatable and curable condition, but if left unchecked, it can still be fatal.
TB is linked to deprivation and is more common in large urban areas and the largest increase was found in London and the West Midlands.
“[TB] is preventable and curable,” Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB unit at UKHSA said.
“If you have moved to England from a country where TB is more common, please be aware of the symptoms … 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 3 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.”
Tuberculosis is most common in low and middle-income countries including Nigeria and Pakistan. Despite scientific progress in understanding and tackling the disease, it remains the world’s leading cause of death from a single infection.
The symptoms are similar to commonplace signs of cold and flu, including a cough that lasts more than three weeks, a high temperature, night sweats, a loss of appetite and weight loss.
It can also be found in other parts of the body alongside the lungs, including the glands, bones or brain, with other symptoms including pelvic pain, dark or cloudy urine and a rash on the legs, face or other part of the body.
The warning comes after NHS England confirmed that the number of people hospitalised in England with norovirus is at its highest level this winter, with an average of 898 beds filled in hospitals around the country last week.
While the number of people in hospital for flu and COVID-19 have fallen in recent weeks, the NHS was being put under strain by a rapid increase in diagnoses of the vomiting bug, with numbers rising by 15% week-on-week.
“It is welcome news that the number of patients in hospital with Covid and flu continued to fall last week, however the worrying surge in norovirus cases – now at their highest level so far this winter – means there is no let up for NHS staff,” Professor Julian Redhead, national clinical director for urgent and emergency care told the PA News Agency.
“Hospitals remain close to capacity, with almost a fifth of beds filled due to seasonal viruses and delayed discharges to settings like social and community care,” he added,
“The public can help us out by continuing to only call 999 or visit A&E in a life-threatening emergency or using NHS 111 for other conditions.
“With the higher than usual levels of norovirus, it is important to remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and avoid close contact with others if you have any symptoms.”
