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Tuberculosis cases in England increased by 7% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same timeframe in 2022.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that cases of TB in England increased by 7% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same timeframe in 2022, with 2,408 notifications compared to 2,251 in the first 2 quarters of 2022.

While England remains a low-incidence country for tuberculosis, progress towards elimination has stalled in recent years. Ahead of the United Nations (UN) High Level Meeting on tuberculosis, UKHSA is reminding people that TB is not just a problem for other countries – it is impacting increasing numbers of people in the UK.

‘TB is curable and preventable, but despite significant progress towards elimination in recent years, the disease remains a serious public health issue in the UK,’ said Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA.

‘With treatment, most people will make a full recovery. It is very important that those with relevant symptoms are tested for TB and appropriate treatment is started promptly, both for the individual and for the prevention of onward transmission.’