Top News

The UK Health Security Agency has issued an alert after a surge in a disease that was common in the country in the 1700s. Tuberculosis (TB) levels in England increased by 13.6 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year, data published today by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows.

There were 5,490 notifications of the disease in 2024, compared to 4,831 in 2023. TB is preventable and curable, with 84.4 per cent of patients completing treatment within 12 months.

The illness can cause a cough that usually has mucus and lasts longer than three weeks. England now has a rate of 9.4 notifications per 100,000 population, which remains below the peak of 15.6 notificationsper 100,000 population in 2011.

• Serious illness warning to millions taking prescription painkiller Tramadol
• Warning over early sign of dementia that can show up in your arms and legs

Eighty-two per cent of TB notifications in 2024 were in people born outside the UK, but there was an increase in both UK-born and non UK-born populations. The increase reflects global patterns, with many countries experiencing increasing TB rates in recent years.

TB continues to be associated with deprivation, and the infection is more common in large urban areas. In line with longstanding trends, London recorded the highest regional rate at 20.6 per 100,000, followed by the West Midlands at 11.5 per 100,000.

For those born in the UK, TB is more common among those who experience homelessness, drug and alcohol dependence, and have had contact with the criminal justice system. Although numbers remain relatively low, drug-resistant TB also reached the highest levels since enhanced surveillance began in 2012. Of laboratory-confirmed notifications, 2.2 per cent showed resistance to multiple drugs. This type of TB requires longer and more complex treatment, placing additional burdens on health services.

Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, said: "TB is preventable and curable but, with rates increasing, it remains a serious public health issue. We must act fast to break transmission chains through rapid identification and treatment.

"It’s important to remember that 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 – particularly if you have recently moved from a country where TB is more common."

• Persistent cough lasting more than two to three weeks

• Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm)

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Fatigue and weakness

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fever

• Night sweats

• Loss of appetite

TB outside the lungs can cause different symptoms depending on the organ affected:

• Lymph nodes: Swollen, painless lumps (often in the neck)

• Bones/joints: Pain, swelling, or difficulty moving affected areas

• Kidneys or urinary tract: Blood in urine, pain

• Brain/spine (TB meningitis): Headache, confusion, stiff neck, neurological problems