Notifications of tuberculosis (TB) in the East Midlands rose by 6% in 2024 compared with the previous year, the latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows.
Provisional annual figures for 2024 show the number of reported TB notifications in the region rose from 397 in 2023 to 421 in 2024.
Nationally, the number of reports in England increased by 13% compared to 2023 – up from 4,850 to 5,480 people - continuing the upward trend over the last few years. The largest increases were recorded in London and West Midlands
England remains a low-incidence country for TB but in December 2024, Leicester was named the local authority district with the highest TB rates in England, with 40.7 notifications per 100,000 population.
The TB notification rate in England rose from 8.5 per 100,000 population in 2023 to 9.5 per 100,000 in 2024 with 81.5% of all TB notifications in 2024 in people born outside the UK. There was an increase in both UK born and non-UK born populations.
Tuberculosis continues to be associated with deprivation and is more common in large urban areas. Among UK-born individuals, TB is more common in those experiencing homelessness, drug or alcohol dependency, and contact with the criminal justice system.
Deborah Watson, TB lead and consultant in public health at UKHSA East Midlands, said: “TB is curable and preventable, but the disease remains a serious public health issue in England. TB is of concern nationally and particularly in areas with stubbornly high or rising rates of TB such as Leicester.
“If you have moved to England in the last five years from a country where TB is more common, or have any of the symptoms of TB, please see your GP for testing and free treatment.
“Not every persistent cough, along with a fever, is caused by flu or COVID-19. A cough that usually has mucus and lasts longer than 3 weeks can be caused by a range of other issues, including TB. Please speak to your GP if you think you could be at risk.”
TB is the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, having surpassed coronavirus (COVID-19). It is a bacterial infection that most frequently affects the lungs, which is when it is infectious.
Symptoms of TB include:
- a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
- high temperature
- night sweats
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
TB can also be found in other parts of the body beside the lungs, with symptoms including swollen glands and joints. More information on the symptoms of TB and what to do can be found here.
TB can spread through close contact with people who have the infection and have symptoms (active TB). When someone with active TB coughs, they release small droplets containing the bacteria. You can catch TB if you regularly breathe in these droplets over a long period of time.
It can be treated with a long course of antibiotics but can be serious, particularly if not treated.
Chamber says employing ex offenders could help fill East Midlands vacancies
Improvement plan for SEND children and young people published by the Education and Health Partnership
£1.2m two county project set to help rural communities become better connected
Chamber calls for greater East Midlands investment in response to Chancellor's growth speech
Northern recognised by British Transport Police for work to protect vulnerable people on the railway
