COVID-19 is no longer the world’s leading infectious disease killer

Instead, tuberculosis has once again become the world’s deadliest infectious disease. According to this week’s World Health Organization report, 10.8 million people contracted tuberculosis last year (8.2 million were newly diagnosed). Approximately 1.25 million people died from the disease.

Meanwhile, deaths from the coronavirus have fallen significantly thanks to vaccines and treatments, but it still claimed 320,000 lives last year.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, said: “It is shocking that despite the tools we have to prevent, detect and treat tuberculosis, so many people are still dying and getting sick.” There is,” he said. in a statement. “WHO calls on all countries to scale up the use of these tools and deliver on the concrete commitments they have made to eliminate tuberculosis.”

Last year’s number of new infections was the highest since WHO began monitoring tuberculosis in 1995.

Tuberculosis primarily affects people in 30 countries. More than half of the world’s infections are found in India (26%), Indonesia (10%), China (6.8%), the Philippines (6.8%) and Pakistan (6.3%).

Ironically, the coronavirus is partially responsible for the rise in tuberculosis cases. The disruption caused by the virus has hampered tuberculosis services and increased infections around the world. Some strains of M. tuberculosis have proven resistant to some drugs. Global funding for tuberculosis prevention is also decreasing, with funding for tuberculosis research reaching only 20% of its 2022 target, WHO said.

Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection of the lungs that usually spreads. through the air. most tuberculosis Asymptomatic even if infected And it’s not contagious. However, active tuberculosis is characterized by cough, fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss, and if left untreated, it is a highly contagious and dangerous disease that can even lead to death.