Tuberculosis rates remain among highest in Western Europe
New figures show 8,751 tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported in the UK in 2012, slightly lower than the 8,963 cases reported in 2011.
The figures are published today (21 August 2013) in Public Health England’s annual ‘TB in the UK: 2013 report’.
Rates of TB have stabilised at around 14 cases per 100,000 since the mid-2000s, following the increase in incidence seen in the previous 2 decades. However, despite considerable efforts to improve prevention, treatment and control, TB incidence in the UK remains high compared to most other Western European countries.
London retained the main burden of infection in 2012, with 3,426 cases accounting for almost 40% of the UK total, followed by the West Midlands with 12%. Country of origin was recorded in 96% of new TB cases. As in previous years, almost three quarters of cases were in people born in countries where TB is more common. Of those born abroad, the majority of cases were from South Asia (60%) and sub-Saharan Africa (22%).
In the UK-born population, those most at risk remain individuals from ethnic minority groups, those with social risk factors such as a history of homelessness, imprisonment or problem use of drugs or alcohol, and the elderly.
Dr Lucy Thomas, head of TB Surveillance for Public Health England (PHE), said:
TB is a preventable and treatable condition, but, if left untreated, can be life threatening. Efforts to control the spread of this infection must remain a public health priority. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are key to reducing TB levels in the UK and local health service commissioners must prioritise the delivery of appropriate clinical and public health services for TB, especially in areas where TB rates are highest.
To reduce the risk of active TB disease in people coming to the UK from high incidence countries, it is essential that new migrants have good access to screening and diagnostic services. Ensuring that NICE recommendations on screening for latent TB infection are implemented in a coordinated manner across the country is therefore very important.
Drug resistance to TB treatment remains a problem, although the proportion of TB cases showing resistance to the first line antibiotic isoniazid decreased slightly to 6.8% of cases in 2012. The proportion of multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB cases remained stable at 1.6% (81 cases). Most MDR TB cases (89%) occurred in those born outside the UK. Although the total number of UK TB cases born in Eastern Europe remained low, almost a quarter of these cases had MDR TB. Two cases of extensively drug resistant (XDR) TB were reported in 2012, compared with 6 in 2011, taking the total to 26 laboratory-confirmed XDR cases in the UK since 1995.
Dr Paul Cosford, Director for Health Protection and Medical Director at PHE, said:
TB remains a critical public health problem, particularly in parts of London and among people from vulnerable communities. Given current trends, within 2 years we are likely to have more new cases of TB each year in the UK than in the whole of the United States. We have therefore made TB one of the key priorities for PHE and are working with key partners to oversee the development of a stronger national approach to TB control. We will announce the details of this approach in the autumn.
This will have at its heart support to local clinical, preventive and social care services in the NHS, local government and wider health and social care system. We are determined to see a sustained reduction in TB and will work tirelessly to support local partners in those areas where the burden is greatest.
Ends
Notes to editors:
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The 3 yearly average rate data for local authorities is available from PHE’s dedicated web pages.
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TB is an infection caused by bacteria. It usually affects the lungs, but can affect other parts of the body. TB is transmitted when someone who has the infection coughs or sneezes, but it requires close prolonged contact in order to spread from person to person. For more information about tuberculosis visit PHE’s dedicated web pages.
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Public Health England’s mission is to protect and improve the nation’s health and to address inequalities through working with national and local government, the NHS, industry and the voluntary and community sector. PHE is an operationally autonomous executive agency of the Department of Health.
www.gov.uk/phe Follow us on Twitter @PHE_uk
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