US Tuberculosis Cases Reach Decade High in 2023
The United States saw a concerning spike in tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2023, with over 9,600 reported cases – the highest level in ten years. According to a report, forty states reported an increase in TB rates across all age groups.
Most of the TB cases in the U.S. are diagnosed in individuals born in other countries. Factors contributing to the rise in cases include a surge in international cases, increased migration, post-pandemic travel, and illnesses that weaken the immune system.
The new statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not indicate how many people were newly infected in 2023, but rather how many developed symptoms and were diagnosed. It is estimated that as many as 13 million Americans have latent TB and are not contagious.
COVID-19 is being considered as a potential factor in the increased reactivation of TB. While TB vaccines are in development, federal funding for TB efforts remains stagnant and drug-resistant TB infections have been reported.
Taking proactive measures, New York City is hiring TB case managers and community health workers, and implementing video monitoring of patients taking medications to prevent TB spread.
The alarming increase in TB cases highlights the importance of ongoing surveillance, prevention, and treatment efforts to combat this infectious disease. Stay tuned to ‘The Puck Drop’ for more updates on health-related news.
