Tuberculosis (TB) Becomes the Deadliest Infectious Disease Again

Ms. URVASHI SHARMA
DEPARTMENT: ZOOLOGY
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
MAIL ID: urvashi.sharma@kalingauniversity.ac.in

As a bacterial disease, tuberculosis (TB) usually harm the lungs. However, it can also target various body parts, including the brain, spine, and kidneys. Not all people who are exposed to TB bacteria (germs) get sick (NIH, 2024).
Thus, there are two categories of tuberculosis conditions: An inactive (latent) TB infection is one in which the TB bacteria are present in your body but do not cause illness. But the Active TB disease, in which the TB germs cause illness. Antibiotics can virtually always cure tuberculosis. It can, however, be lethal if improperly treated (NIH, 2024).
Recent findings from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that tuberculosis (TB) has reclaimed its position as the deadliest infectious disease worldwide, surpassing COVID-19 in mortality rates. This resurgence is particularly concerning given the extensive efforts made to combat TB over recent decades.
The Current Landscape of TB
In 2023, TB killed over 1.25 million people, and COVID-19 killed roughly 320,000 individuals (WHO, 2024). The WHO’s 2024 Global Tuberculosis Report revealed that there were 8.2 million new TB cases diagnosed in 2023, marking the highest number since global monitoring began in 1995 (WHO, 2024). This data underscores the pressing need for renewed focus and resources to combat this ancient yet persistent disease.
Contributing Factors to Resurgence
Several factors contribute to the resurgence of TB. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted TB control programs worldwide, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Public health experts have pointed out that while lockdowns may have temporarily reduced TB transmission, they also hindered access to necessary healthcare services. Furthermore, ongoing issues such as underfunding, stigma associated with the disease, and co-morbidities like malnutrition and diabetes exacerbate its impact on vulnerable populations.
Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
A significant challenge in controlling TB is the rise of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). According to WHO (2024), only 44% of the anticipated 400,000 individuals who developed MDR-TB in 2023 received a diagnosis and treatment. The WHO has called for increased funding for research and services to combat this growing challenge, highlighting that global funding for TB dropped to $5.7 billion in 2023—far below the annual target of $22 billion needed to effectively tackle the disease.
India’s Efforts Against TB
Approximately 28 percent of all new TB cases worldwide, or roughly 30 lakh new cases annually, occur in India (NTEP, 2023). In 2023 alone, India notified 25.37 lakh TB cases, surpassing previous records and demonstrating significant progress in case detection efforts (The Hindu, 2023). The government’s initiatives have led to a reduction in missing cases from 3.2 lakh in 2022 to 2.3 lakh in 2023 (Dutt, 2024).

Category Value (Lakhs) Percentage Citation
New TB Cases 30 45% NTEP,2023 
TB Deaths 5 7% NTEP,2023
Missing Cases 2.3 3% Indian Express,2024
Treated Patients 26.5 45% Indian Express,2024
Estimated Incidence 27.8 N/A WHO,2024 

Table1: Status of Tuberculosis in India

Fig 1: Rate of TB in India (Bar Graph)

Future Directions and Recommendations
Efforts are underway to develop new vaccines and improve treatment protocols for TB. Some clinical trials are presently underway for a number of vaccinations, including one that the Gates Medical Research Institute has supported and which shows promise.
If successful, this vaccine could be the first new TB vaccine introduced in over a century. However, achieving equitable access to these innovations requires substantial investment and coordinated action across sectors. Public health officials recommend several strategies to mitigate TB’s impact:
Enhancing Surveillance: Improved monitoring systems are essential for early detection and intervention.
Increasing Funding: Adequate funding is crucial for research, treatment programs, and public awareness campaigns.
Community Engagement: Addressing stigma and educating communities about TB can improve treatment adherence and reduce transmission.
Conclusion
The resurgence of tuberculosis as the leading infectious disease killer globally is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in public health. By focusing on prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies while addressing social determinants of health, it is possible to turn the tide against this ancient disease. This Article provides a comprehensive overview of tuberculosis as a public health threat globally and specifically within India.

References
National TB Elimination Program – NTEP. Burden of TB in India. (2023, January 17). Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://ntep.in/node/352/CP-burden-tb-india#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%2C%20around,cases%20in%20the%20year%202021.Press Information Bureau (PIB). (2023). WHO_acknowledges_ India’s_ success_ in_ declining_ TB_ incidence_ by_ 16%. Retrieved from https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1975724.
The Hindu. (2023). India achieved record TB notification in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/india-achieved-record-tb-notification-in-2023/article67734558.ece.
National Institute of Health (NIH) & National Library of Medicine. (2024, August 24). Tuberculosis. MedlinePlus. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://medlineplus.gov/tuberculosis.html
Dutt, A. (2024, March 28). India TB Report-2024 – Missing_ cases_ shrinking,95% got_ treatment_ in_ 2023. The Indian Express. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-tb-report-2024-missing-cases-shrinking-95-got-treatment-in-2023-9237150/.
Global Tuberculosis Report 2024. (2024, October 29). World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2024