It has been just revealed that tuberculosis surpasses COVID as the deadliest infectious disease. Check out the latest reports about the matter below.
Tuberculosis vs. COVID
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis (TB) has surpassed COVID-19 as the deadliest infectious disease.
In 2022, TB claimed 1.3 million lives, while COVID-19 resulted in 1.2 million deaths worldwide. Although TB is curable, early diagnosis, timely intervention, and strict drug adherence are crucial.
However, TB remains a significant public health issue in eight countries, including India, China, and Nigeria. These countries account for over two-thirds of all TB cases.
Seyed Hasnain, a distinguished professor of life sciences at Sharda University in India, emphasized that early diagnosis and intervention are vital to combat TB.
Dr. Vinod Kumar, a public health consultant for the WHO, identified overcrowding, poverty, and malnutrition as significant issues that eight countries currently face. These countries are struggling to provide their citizens with adequate living conditions and resources, which has led to the spread of diseases and illnesses.
While China has made remarkable strides in economic growth, a large number of its citizens still live below the poverty line or in extreme poverty. Despite the government’s efforts to eliminate poverty, many experts have challenged these claims, citing discrepancies in official reports.
Tuberculosis, a highly infectious disease, spreads through the air when someone with an active TB infection in their lungs or throat coughs, speaks or sneezes.
Overcrowded and poorly ventilated areas with damp, dirty, and dark conditions promote the persistence of TB bacteria.
Sunlight, on the other hand, can kill the bacteria and boost immunity against tuberculosis.
It is essential to address the root causes of these issues to prevent the spread of diseases and illnesses and improve the quality of life for people living in these countries.
Official notes reveal the fact that malnutrition is a surrogate of poverty and is also comorbid for tuberculosis. “It puts a person at a greater risk of infection as the body cannot defend against these bacteria. Around 40 percent of TB cases are associated with malnutrition,” according to the notes coming from BMC Research.
