The number of tuberculosis cases worldwide has stabilised for the first time since international records began.
The improvements are thought to be the result of significant reductions in the prevalence of the disease in India and China. The two countries have the highest rates of tuberculosis in the world and together account for over a third of all cases.
In 2009 the incidence of tuberculosis fell or remained around the same level in 21 of the 22 countries with the highest rates worldwide. However, rates in South Africa continue to rise and officials warn that overall progress in the control the disease is still too slow. Mario Raviglione, director of the WHO’s Stop TB unit, said: “There are still 1.7 million deaths a year from a disease that is perfectly curable in 2010.”
Particular strains of tuberculosis bacteria known as multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) have adapted to become resistant to available antibiotics. Around 440,000 cases of resistant TB are diagnosed worldwide each year although the actual figure is thought to be much higher.
MDR TB is difficult to detect and genetically advanced strains are now the biggest challenge faced by international bodies trying to control the disease.
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