Tuberculosis on World TB day 24 March

Ahead of World TB Day on 24 March the Public Health Agency (PHA) has released the latest figures which show a 40% increase incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) in Northern Ireland last year.In 2012 in Northern Ireland there were 87* cases of TB reported, up from 2011 when 62 cases were reported. Since 2004, there have also been 12 cases of multi-drug resistant TB (MDRTB). The PHA is therefore taking this opportunity to remind those at risk of the symptoms of TB.TB is an infection caused by bacteria. TB usually affects the lungs, but can affect other parts of the body. It is spread from person to person when someone who has TB of the lungs coughs or sneezes. Only some people with TB in the lungs are infectious to other people and even then, close and prolonged contact is needed to be at risk of being infected.

Any of the following symptoms may suggest TB:

• Fever and night sweats;
• Persistent cough;
• Losing weight;
• Blood in your sputum (phlegm or spit) at any time.

 Both health professionals and the general public should be aware of the following key facts about TB:

• TB can be fatal if not treated.
• TB is usually curable with a six-month course of antibiotics which must be completed.
• Not completing the full course can encourage drug resistance.
• TB disease develops slowly in the body over a period of several months.
• Symptoms are: fever and night sweats, persistent cough, weight loss, blood in your sputum (phlegm or spit) at any time, a lack of appetite, fatigue and a general sense of feeling unwell.
• The infection requires prolonged and close contact in order to spread from person to person.
• Under half of cases in the UK have the infectious form of the disease.
• Most cases present little or no risk to others.
• It is very uncommon to catch TB from a child with the disease.
• TB treatment is free for patients in the UK.

TB today remains an important public health problem throughout much of the world, causing the deaths of more than a million people each year, mostly in developing countries.  With effective treatment, TB can be a curable disease and World TB Day is an opportunity to raise public awareness to stop transmission of TB by encouraging early diagnoses and treatment.

Dr Michael Devine, Consultant in health Protection at the Public Health Agency said, “Although people may think of TB as a disease of the past, the risk is that we become complacent, and with new drug-resistant types of TB evolving and increased international travel, it is essential that we maintain vigilance and know what to look out for.  TB is not easily spread; close and prolonged contact is required for someone to even be at risk of being infected. Because of this, the greatest risk is to people who live in the same household.”

Dr Michael Ledwith, TB lead for the Northern Trust, added, "The increase in Northern Ireland’s TB rates reinforces the critical need for early diagnosis and specialist treatment to control this serious disease. Increased awareness, particularly among groups at high risk, as well as health professionals, is central to this.

 “It is important that everyone is aware of the symptoms of TB, which include a prolonged cough, fevers and weight loss. If people are concerned about their symptoms they should get medical advice. Greater awareness can mean the condition is diagnosed and treated much earlier.”