Resurgence of TB poses grave threat worldwide
London, which had 681 cases of MDR-TB recorded in 2012, and nearly 3,500 cases of TB overall, is regarded as the 'TB capital of Western Europe'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The rise of new strains of tuberculosis resistant to drug treatment represents “one of the gravest public health threats facing the world today”, the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières has warned.
In an a stark message to world leaders, the group said that efforts to combat multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) have been “inadequate” and called for an “immediate international response” to find new treatments to improve the chances of survival for the eight million people who contract TB each year.
Despite decades of international efforts to combat TB, 1.3 million people still die from it every year. Forms of the disease resistant to antibiotics are much harder to treat. Nearly half a million cases of MDR-TB now occur each year, and have been detected in every country in the world, including the UK.
London, with 681 cases of MDR-TB recorded in 2012, and nearly 3,500 cases of TB overall, is regarded as the “TB capital of Western Europe”. Globally, only half of MDR-TB’s victims survive.
MSF said the numbers of MDR-TB cases were “staggering”, with even more dangerous, drug-resistant strains of TB out there. There are fears that the resurgence of TB, a currently curable disease, could be among the first signs that we are now living in the post-antibiotic era.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments