Major Increase in Cases of Tuberculosis in Midlands

Mar 23, 02:44 AM

Current Headlines: Cases of tuberculosis in the West Midlands have risen by more than a third since 2000, it was revealed today.

Nationally the number of new diagnoses has risen every year since the 80s, and in 2006 there was a 4.5 per cent rise across the region.

The figures, released by the Health Protection Agency ahead of World TB Day tomorrow, show the region has the highest incidence outside London.

In 2000, a total of 734 TB cases were reported in the region, but last year that figure had risen by 250 to 984 - an increase of 34.05 per cent.

Dr Annette Wood, TB lead for the Health Protection Agency in the West Midlands said: "Since the late 1990s there has been a general increase in the number of people diagnosed with TB and, in line with this trend, 2006 shows a slight increase.

"The reasons are varied. People are travelling more often to countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and parts of Africa, where TB is common. Also relatives visiting from overseas may bring the virus with them.

"It is generally a preventable and curable condition, but the trick is to diagnose it early and get people with the infection into appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

"In most circumstances they will be cured in approximately six months on TB drugs and they will cease to be infectious after just two weeks on treatment."

She added: "We shouldn't be frightened of TB, but we should be aware of it and we should be able to recognise the symptoms when we come across them."

HPA figures released last year revealed cases of TB in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rose by 10.8 per cent between 2004 and 2005.

They registered 8,113 cases in 2005, compared with 7,321 in 2004. The figures showed levels of TB in the UK - born population remained stable.

However, the HPA said only 22 per cent of the non- UK-born patients in 2005 arrived in the UK in the previous two years.

Symptoms of TB include fever and night sweats, a persistent cough and blood in the phlegm or spit.

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