The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the ongoing threat of tuberculosis (TB), citing alarming rates of infection and death worldwide.
According to the WHO’s latest report, TB remains one of the top 10 causes of death globally, with 10 million people falling ill with the disease in 2024 alone. The report also notes that TB is the leading cause of death from a single infectious disease, surpassing even HIV/AIDS.
“The TB epidemic is far from over,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “We need to accelerate our efforts to combat this ancient disease, which continues to claim far too many lives.”
The WHO report highlights several key concerns, including:
– *Rising rates of drug-resistant TB*: The report notes that 465,000 people developed multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in 2024, with many more cases going undiagnosed.
– *Inadequate funding*: The WHO estimates that global funding for TB research and treatment falls short by $3.3 billion annually.
– *Stigma and lack of awareness*: TB remains shrouded in stigma, with many people unaware of the risks and symptoms of the disease.
In response to these challenges, the WHO is calling for increased funding, improved access to diagnosis and treatment, and enhanced efforts to combat stigma and promote awareness.
“We can end TB, but we need to work together,” said Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO’s Global TB Programme. “We urge governments, healthcare providers, and communities to join forces to combat this devastating disease.”
The WHO’s warning comes as world leaders gather for the United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB in September 2025. The meeting aims to galvanize global action to combat TB and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
