South East Records 13.6% Rise in Tuberculosis Cases as UK Total Falls

Tuberculosis cases have risen by 13.6% across South East England, moving against the national trend as the overall number of infections recorded in the UK declined.

The regional increase underlines the uneven progress being made in controlling the disease. Although tuberculosis remains relatively uncommon in the UK, delayed diagnosis can allow the infection to spread and may lead to more serious illness, particularly among people experiencing poor health, insecure housing or difficulties accessing healthcare.

Tuberculosis most commonly affects the lungs and can spread through prolonged close contact. Symptoms can include a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, unexplained weight loss, tiredness, fever and night sweats, although they can vary depending on which part of the body is affected.

Public health teams will now be expected to examine what is driving the increase across the South East and whether particular communities or local areas are being disproportionately affected. Early testing, effective contact tracing and ensuring people can complete their full course of treatment remain central to preventing further transmission.

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