Urgent warning as cases of ‘world’s most infectious Victorian disease’ surge in UK – 6 signs you must not ignore

CASES of the world’s most infectious disease are still on the rise in England – and experts are asking Brits to be aware of the symptoms to help stop its spread.

New data shows cases of tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs and spreads via coughs, sneezes and spits, have risen by 13 per cent compared to the previous year, which continues an upward trend seen over the last few years.

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TB is still a public health concern in England, according to experts[/caption]

In 2024, there were 5,480 cases of TB in England, compared to 4,850 in 2023, according to the annual data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

At this point in time, England remains a low-incidence country for TB, particularly as 81.5 per cent of cases in 2024 were in people born outside the UK.

But the data has shown an increase in both UK born and non-UK born populations.

TB is still linked with deprivation, says the UKHSA, and is more common in large urban areas.

The largest increases in cases in 2024 were recorded in London and West Midlands.

Among UK-born individuals, TB was shown to be more common in those experiencing homelessness, drug or alcohol dependency, and contact with the criminal justice system.

“TB remains a serious public health issue in England,” said Dr Esther Robinson, head of the TB unit at UKHSA.

“The infection is preventable and curable. If you have moved to England from a country where TB is more common, please be aware of the symptoms of TB so you can get promptly tested and treated through your GP surgery.

“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.”

As well as being the world’s most infectious disease, TB is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, having surpassed coronavirus (COVID-19).

It’s most infectious when it affects the lungs.

The five symptoms of TB UKHSA experts are warning people to look out for are:

• a cough that lasts more than three 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.

It’s spread through close contact with people who have the infection and are showing symptoms (active TB).

When someone with active TB coughs, they release small droplets containing the bacteria

If you regularly breathe in these droplets over a long period of time you can catch it.

The best form of treatment is a long course of antibiotics.

If it’s not treated complications can occur, including lung damage, bone and joint damage, and infection of the brain and spinal cord.

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If TB isn’t treated it can lead to serious complications, including joint damage and brain infections[/caption]

A test for infectious TB in the lungs is part of the visa requirements for anyone coming to stay in the UK for six months or more if they are coming from certain countries where TB is common.

But the bacteria that causes TB can also lie dormant for many years – something known as latent TB.

To detect people with latent TB infection, a testing and treatment programme is in place in higher incidence areas of England for new arrivals from higher incidence countries.