Tuberculosis (TB) has been on the rise since 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The illness causes 1.5 million deaths every day, more than any other infectious disease. In 2023, the U.S. saw the highest number of TB cases in a decade and a 16% rise in cases from 2022. However, the good news, experts say, is that TB can be defeated.

According to the CDC, TB cases had actually declined for several decades, including a significant dip in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Since that time, cases have risen every year, hitting 9,615 in 2023. TB cases in 2023 increased in all age groups across most jurisdictions. California reported the highest number of TB cases at 2,113, while Alaska reported the highest rate (10.6). Eight states and the District of Columbia reported higher than national rates.

Although TB rates in the U.S. are still among the lowest in the world and most residents are at minimal risk, the CDC stressed, “TB continues to cause substantial global morbidity and mortality. The post-pandemic increase in U.S. cases highlights the importance of continuing to engage communities with higher TB rates and their medical providers in TB elimination efforts and strengthening the capacity in public health programs to carry out critical disease control and prevention strategies.”

Fortunately, as the COVID pandemic eased, the fight against TB has intensified. Treatment is up for TB and multidrug-resistant TB; fortunately, deaths from the infection are dropping globally.  

Advancements in TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment have improved the ability of clinicians and others to prevent and manage the disease. However, a continued focus on TB will be important to keep it in check, particularly as it remains a global challenge with social inequities making some people more vulnerable to the disease and many having less access to diagnostic and treatment efforts. All this, according to a new Global Tuberculosis Report from the World Health Organization, will require consistent and adequate funding and sustained attention.