UK TB cases rise 12.9% in 2024, continuing upward trend.
The latest provisional annual data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that reported notifications of tuberculosis (TB) in England increased by 12.9% compared to 2023, continuing the upward trend over the last few years.
England remains a low-incidence country for TB, but the TB notification rate in England rose from 8.5 per 100,000 population in 2023 to 9.5 per 100,000 in 2024.
81.5% of all TB notifications in 2024 were in people born outside the UK but there was an increase in both UK-born and non UK-born populations.
Tuberculosis continues to be associated with deprivation and is more common in large urban areas. The largest increases in TB notifications in 2024 were recorded in London and West Midlands. Among UK-born individuals, TB is more common in those experiencing homelessness, drug or alcohol dependency, and contact with the criminal justice system.
Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, said:
TB remains a serious public health issue in England.
The infection is preventable and curable. If you have moved to England from a country where TB is more common, please be aware of the symptoms of TB so you can get promptl
