Number of People With TB Is On the Rise

The number of people diagnosed with tuberculosis worldwide climbed again last year, surpassing 2023’s record total, according to the World Health Organization. The agency reported Wednesday that about 8.3 million people were newly diagnosed with TB in 2024—an increase that officials say reflects better screening and treatment after years of health care disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While not all infections are detected, the WHO noted that the 2024 figure represents about 78% of the estimated total cases. At the same time, the number of TB-related deaths dropped slightly—from 1.25 million in 2023 to 1.23 million in 2024.

In the United States, tuberculosis cases also continued to rise, reaching the nation’s highest level in more than a decade, according to preliminary data. Most U.S. cases occur in individuals born outside the country.

Tuberculosis, a bacterial disease that primarily attacks the lungs, spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Roughly a quarter of the world’s population carries the bacteria, though only a small percentage ever develop active symptoms.

TB remains one of the leading infectious killers worldwide despite being both preventable and curable. The WHO’s annual report—drawing data from 184 countries—warns that funding to combat the disease has stagnated, with experts expressing concern over potential setbacks following recent budget cuts by the U.S. government and other international donors.

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