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| Sharp rise in tuberculosis cases | Sharp rise in tuberculosis cases |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Cases of tuberculosis (TB) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rose by 10.8% in 2005, figures show. | Cases of tuberculosis (TB) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rose by 10.8% in 2005, figures show. |
| The Health Protection Agency (HPA) recorded 8,113 cases during the year, compared to 7,321 in 2004. | The Health Protection Agency (HPA) recorded 8,113 cases during the year, compared to 7,321 in 2004. |
| Levels of TB have been increasing year on year in the UK since the late 1980s, but this is the largest single year increase since 1999. | Levels of TB have been increasing year on year in the UK since the late 1980s, but this is the largest single year increase since 1999. |
| London recorded 3,479 cases, up from 3,129 in 2004. The North West recorded the biggest proportional increase. | London recorded 3,479 cases, up from 3,129 in 2004. The North West recorded the biggest proportional increase. |
| The highest proportion of cases - 38% - were reported among people from an Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic background. | The highest proportion of cases - 38% - were reported among people from an Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic background. |
| TB SYMPTOMS Fever and night sweats Persistent cough Losing weight Blood in the phlegm or spit | |
| Dr John Watson, head of the HPA's Respiratory Diseases Department, said the largest increase was seen among patients not born in the UK, who accounted for 5,310 cases. | Dr John Watson, head of the HPA's Respiratory Diseases Department, said the largest increase was seen among patients not born in the UK, who accounted for 5,310 cases. |
| Levels of TB in the UK-born population remained stable | Levels of TB in the UK-born population remained stable |
| However, he said only 22% of these non-UK born patients in 2005 arrived in the UK during the past two years. | However, he said only 22% of these non-UK born patients in 2005 arrived in the UK during the past two years. |
| "This suggests that the increase is not a result of a large number of individuals arriving recently with TB but rather a combination of TB disease developing in individuals who may have been infected for some time and new infections acquired in the UK, or as a result of travel to other countries where TB is common." | "This suggests that the increase is not a result of a large number of individuals arriving recently with TB but rather a combination of TB disease developing in individuals who may have been infected for some time and new infections acquired in the UK, or as a result of travel to other countries where TB is common." |
| TB DIAGNOSES 2000 - 6,323 2001 - 6,652 2002 - 6,861 2003 - 6,970 2004 - 7,321 2005 - 8,113 | |
| TB was the biggest killer in the UK in the 19th century. | TB was the biggest killer in the UK in the 19th century. |
| Centre for Infections director Professor Peter Borriello said it was a "bogeyman that was returning". | Centre for Infections director Professor Peter Borriello said it was a "bogeyman that was returning". |
| He said: "An increase of this magnitude over the course of one year is a concern, and as a result we will be monitoring the situation closely over the next few years. | He said: "An increase of this magnitude over the course of one year is a concern, and as a result we will be monitoring the situation closely over the next few years. |
| "TB disease is a preventable and treatable condition. The key to reducing levels is through early diagnosis and treatment of the infection. | "TB disease is a preventable and treatable condition. The key to reducing levels is through early diagnosis and treatment of the infection. |
| "To enable this it is crucial that we raise awareness amongst both the public and health professionals of the symptoms of TB. | "To enable this it is crucial that we raise awareness amongst both the public and health professionals of the symptoms of TB. |
| "Once cases are diagnosed, it is crucial to trace their close contacts to ensure they are also not infected and to also ensure that prescribed courses of treatment are completed." | "Once cases are diagnosed, it is crucial to trace their close contacts to ensure they are also not infected and to also ensure that prescribed courses of treatment are completed." |
| Action needed | Action needed |
| Dr John Moore-Gillon, chairman of the British Thoracic Society Joint TB Committee and president of the British Lung Foundation said the situation was "urgent". | Dr John Moore-Gillon, chairman of the British Thoracic Society Joint TB Committee and president of the British Lung Foundation said the situation was "urgent". |
| TB SYMPTOMS Fever and night sweats Persistent cough Losing weight Blood in the phlegm or spit | |
| "We need to confront the problem of TB now and ensure that enough resources are made available on the ground to tackle the increasing burden of TB in Britain," he said. | "We need to confront the problem of TB now and ensure that enough resources are made available on the ground to tackle the increasing burden of TB in Britain," he said. |
| The government published a TB Action Plan in 2004, but Dr Moore-Gillon said steps were needed to ensure tackling the disease was made a priority at local level. | The government published a TB Action Plan in 2004, but Dr Moore-Gillon said steps were needed to ensure tackling the disease was made a priority at local level. |
| He said in some areas TB specialist nurse posts were being left vacant or downgraded to save money. | He said in some areas TB specialist nurse posts were being left vacant or downgraded to save money. |
| TB Alert chairman Paul Sommerfeld said the emergence of drug resistant strains of TB posed a particular threat. | TB Alert chairman Paul Sommerfeld said the emergence of drug resistant strains of TB posed a particular threat. |
| "UK TB services need to be strengthened and not allowed to weaken." | "UK TB services need to be strengthened and not allowed to weaken." |
| Screening programme | Screening programme |
| The Home Office said the first phase of a screening programme was introduced last year. | The Home Office said the first phase of a screening programme was introduced last year. |
| People applying to come to the UK for six months or more must get a certificate giving them the all clear from an accredited clinic in their country. | People applying to come to the UK for six months or more must get a certificate giving them the all clear from an accredited clinic in their country. |
| Also anyone appearing ill or complaining of illness is examined at some airports. Heathrow has three X-ray machines and Gatwick one. | Also anyone appearing ill or complaining of illness is examined at some airports. Heathrow has three X-ray machines and Gatwick one. |
| However, Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said TB was a global problem that could not be solved by countries in isolation. | |
| She said: "Our TB Action Plan set out our plan of attack in England. We know that the best way to ensure a good TB service is through local commissioning. | |
| "Together with the HPA, we will be providing the NHS with a comprehensive toolkit to help them commission services which meet their local circumstances. | |
| "We cannot be complacent about this issue. There are no short-term solutions to tackling TB - this will need long-term, concerted action." | |