Cases of Victorian disease surge in England – as map reveals hotspots

By Liam On Sep 22, 2023

Tuberculosis is on the rise in England, health chiefs warn.

Cases of the bacterial infection, spread by coughing, hit 2,408 in England in the first half of 2023 – 7 percent more than the same period last year.

This despite the fact that 2022 is a peak year for tuberculosis. It was only the third time cases of the infection have increased nationally in the past decade.

London remains the national hotspot for the infection, dubbed ‘consumption’ by Victorians. It recorded at least three times as many cases as other regions.

But the biggest increase in cases was seen in the South West, where infections rose by 62 per cent.

Health chiefs warned that the disease remains a ‘serious public health problem’ in Britain and urged Britons not to dismiss all coughs and fevers as flu or Covid.

London remains the national hotspot for the infection, dubbed ‘consumption’ by Victorians. It recorded at least three times as many cases as other regions

2022 was a banner year for tuberculosis. It was only the third time cases of the infection have increased nationally in the past decade. Data shows that there will also be an increase in cases in 2023

There has been a worrying increase in the number of tuberculosis cases in England in recent years.

The number of cases had fallen sharply since 2011, when a peak of more than 8,000 infections was recorded, but the trend reversed in 2019.

Last year there were 4,400 cases, and we are already on track to surpass that number by 2023.

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

The South West 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 spread between people by coughing and sneezing.

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

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

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

If the immune system fails to contain the tuberculosis bacteria, it may take weeks or months for the infection to manifest itself and cause symptoms. If the infection is not treated, it can be fatal.

TB 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 develop the disease.

With treatment, tuberculosis can almost always be cured with antibiotics, and people are usually no longer contagious after about three weeks of treatment.

TB is most common in the less developed countries south of the Sahara and West Africa, Southeast Asia, Russia, China and South America.

Source: NHS

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 with 938, only saw a 2 percent increase in cases.

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

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

Disease rates 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 crucial that people did not dismiss a persistent cough as just Covid or flu.

She said: ‘Tuberculosis is curable and preventable, but despite significant progress towards elimination in recent years, the disease remains a serious public health problem in Britain.

‘As we head into winter, it’s important to remember that not every persistent cough, along with a fever, is caused by flu or Covid.

‘A cough that usually contains mucus and lasts for 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.

She added: ‘Tuberculosis develops slowly and it may take several weeks, months or even years after becoming infected before you notice that you are unwell.

‘Contact your GP if you think you are at risk so you can get tested and treated.’

Tuberculosis kills an estimated 1.6 million people worldwide every year, making it one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

The infection is spread through patients’ coughs and sneezes and most often affects the lungs, although it can also spread to other parts of the body.

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

A severe tuberculosis infection can be fatal by destroying the organs from within, causing them to bleed and fill with fluid.

Tuberculosis is especially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, such as people undergoing chemotherapy, and for people without access to good medical care.

But in England the infection can usually be cured with antibiotics.