TB remains a major health-care issue with about 10.8m people getting sick in 23ʼ and roughly 1.25m deaths worldwide (making it the deadliest infectious disease after covid-19s decline)
The World Health Organization latest report shows mixed results: while global numbers seem stable at 134 cases per 100‚000 people the Americas face a troubling rise. The regions TB rates jumped 20% since 15ʼ – a stark difference from other areas where numbers are going down
Five countries make up most of the worlds cases:
- India with 26% of total
- Indonesia at 10%
- China showing 6.8%
- Philippines having 6.8%
- Pakistan with 6.3%
Scientists say meeting global targets its impossible without new tech breakthroughs. The M72/AS01E vaccine (now in testing) might help millions but trials wont finish till 29ʼ. Sadly donors only gave 1/5th of needed research money
A Stanford University team found that Latin Americas prison problem drives TB spread; the regions jail population grew 4x in three decades. In the US‚ rates went back to 13ʼ levels after covid – mostly affecting immigrants Black people and Native Americans
The search for better solutions continues: experts say we need new vaccines faster tests and simpler treatments. Current progress shows only 23% death reduction since 15ʼ far below the planned 75% drop by 25ʼ