Tuberculosis (TB), historically known as the “White Plague,” is witnessing a worrying resurgence in the United States, with cases steadily rising since 2020, according to reports. The disease, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body.
Globally, Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases. After briefly being overtaken by COVID-19 during the pandemic, TB reclaimed its position in 2023 as the leading cause of death from an infectious disease.
Health experts stress that TB is a global challenge. Priya Shete, a tuberculosis specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, noted that rising cases in one region can quickly impact others due to global connectivity.
What is Tuberculosis and How Does It Spread?
Tuberculosis is an airborne infection that spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks, releasing bacteria into the air.
Not everyone exposed to TB becomes immediately ill. There are two forms:
- Latent TB: The bacteria remain inactive and do not cause symptoms
- Active TB: The infection becomes contagious and can spread to others
Common Symptoms to Watch For
Symptoms of active TB can often be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses, leading to delayed diagnosis. Key warning signs include:
- Persistent cough
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood or mucus
- Fever and night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
People with weakened immune systems, including those with HIV/AIDS or diabetes, and those living in crowded conditions are at higher risk.
Rising Cases in the US Raise Alarm
The United States reported over 10,300 TB cases in 2024, marking an 8% increase from 2023 and the highest number since 2011.
Experts attribute the rise to several factors:
- Increased global travel and migration after the pandemic
- Localised outbreaks in certain regions
- Growing concerns over antibiotic-resistant strains
Treatment Challenges and Prevention Measures
While Tuberculosis is both preventable and curable, treatment can be lengthy—typically lasting 6 to 9 months of antibiotics. Completing the full course is critical to avoid drug resistance.
Kohta Saito of Weill Cornell Medicine highlighted that the long duration of treatment often leads to side effects, making adherence difficult—especially for patients with latent TB who may not feel sick.
A vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guerin, is available and widely used in countries with high TB prevalence, though it is less common in the US.
Lucica Ditiu emphasised that no country has fully eliminated TB, warning that the risk remains universal.
Simple Steps to Reduce Risk
Health experts recommend basic precautions to curb the spread:
- Wearing masks in high-risk settings
- Improving indoor ventilation
- Early testing and diagnosis
- Completing prescribed treatments
A Persistent Global Health Challenge
The resurgence of Tuberculosis highlights the need for sustained global efforts in detection, treatment, and prevention. As interconnected health risks grow, experts warn that tackling TB requires coordinated international action.