Tuberculosis is on the rise in England, health chiefs have warned.

Cases of the bacterial infection, transmitted by cough, reached 2,408 in England during the first half of 2023, seven percent more than those recorded during the same period last year.

This despite the fact that 2022 was an excellent year for tuberculosis. It was only the third time infection cases have increased nationally over the past decade.

London remains the national focus of the infection, called consumption by the Victorians. It recorded at least three times more cases than other regions.

But the biggest increase in cases was seen in the southwest, where infections increased by 62 percent.

Health chiefs have warned that the disease remains a “serious public health issue” in the UK and urged Britons not to dismiss all coughs and fevers as flu or Covid.

London remains the national focus of the infection, called consumption by the Victorians. It recorded at least three times more cases than other regions.

2022 was an excellent year for tuberculosis. It was only the third time infection cases have increased nationally over the past decade. Data suggests that 2023 will also see an increase in cases

In recent years there has been a worrying increase in tuberculosis in England.

Cases had been decreasing drastically since 2011, when a peak of more than 8,000 infections was recorded, but the trend was reversed in 2019.

Last year, 4,400 cases were recorded and 2023 is already on track to exceed that number.

The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that TB cases have soared in the South West and North East.

The southwest has recorded 152 cases so far this year, 62 per cent more than the same period in 2022.

WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that is spread between people by coughing and sneezing.

The infection usually affects the lungs, but the bacteria can cause problems anywhere in the body, including the abdomen, glands, bones, and nervous system.

In healthy people, the immune system often eliminates bacteria or at least prevents it from spreading, but in some cases the bacteria can take hold and cause a more serious infection.

Tuberculosis infection causes symptoms such as fever, cough, night sweats, weight loss, tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite, and swelling in the neck.

If the immune system fails to contain the tuberculosis bacteria, the infection can take weeks or months to manifest and produce symptoms, and if left untreated it can be fatal.

Tuberculosis is a common cause of death among people with HIV, because it is particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems: people with HIV are thought to be up to 27 times more likely to contract the disease.

With treatment, tuberculosis can almost always be cured with antibiotics, and people tend to stop being contagious after about three weeks of treatment.

Tuberculosis is most common in the less developed countries of sub-Saharan and West Africa, Southeast Asia, Russia, China, and South America.

Fountain: National Health Service

Cases have increased by 51 per cent in the North East over the same period, where 59 cases have been recorded.

London, which recorded the most cases in 2023 at 938, only saw a two per cent increase in cases.

The only region to see a decrease in cases was the West Midlands, which recorded a 6 per cent drop to 284 cases.

Health officials say tuberculosis rates are higher among people in England who are originally from other parts of the world, where the disease is more common.

Rates of the disease are also higher in urban populations, especially among those living in disadvantaged areas.

Dr Esther Robinson, head of the UKHSA’s tuberculosis unit, said it was vital that people did not dismiss an ongoing cough as just Covid or flu.

He said: “Tuberculosis is curable and preventable, but despite significant progress towards its elimination in recent years, the disease remains a serious public health problem in the UK.

‘As we approach winter, it is important to remember that not all persistent coughs, along with fever, are caused by flu or Covid.

“A cough that normally has mucus and lasts more than three weeks can be caused by a variety of other problems, including tuberculosis.”

Dr Robinson said people may not realize they have the disease for years and urged those with symptoms to seek help.

He added: “Tuberculosis develops slowly and it can take several weeks, months or even years after infection before you notice that you are not well.”

“Please contact your GP if you think you might be at risk so you can get tested and treated.”

Tuberculosis is estimated to kill approximately 1.6 million people each year worldwide, making it one of the leading causes of death globally.

The infection is transmitted through patients’ coughs and sneezes and most frequently affects the lungs, although it can reach other parts of the body.

Early symptoms of the disease include cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss.

Severe tuberculosis infection can cause death by destroying organs from the inside, causing them to bleed and fill with fluid.

Tuberculosis is particularly dangerous for immunocompromised people, such as those receiving chemotherapy, and for those who do not have access to good medical care.

But in England the infection is usually cured with antibiotics.