Tuberculosis (TB) surged in 2023, reclaiming its position as the world’s deadliest infectious disease, with a record 8.2 million new cases globally—the highest annual figure since the World Health Organization (WHO) began monitoring TB data in 1995.
While TB-related deaths saw a slight decrease from 1.32 million in 2022 to 1.25 million in 2023, the total number of people affected by the disease has reached an estimated 10.8 million, underscoring an escalating global health crisis.
The rapid spread of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is a pressing challenge, as these drug-resistant strains do not respond to standard treatments. Though treatment success for MDR-TB cases has risen to 68%, only 44% of the estimated 400,000 people with drug-resistant TB in 2023 received accurate diagnosis and treatment.
WHO officials stress that, without an expanded focus on diagnosis and treatment, TB will continue to overburden healthcare systems. “Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is a critical public health crisis,” a WHO representative stated, highlighting the need to bridge significant treatment gaps, especially in underserved regions.
The WHO is calling on countries to prioritise TB prevention and treatment, particularly in areas with limited healthcare resources. Officials emphasize that increased funding and a coordinated global response are necessary to curb TB’s spread and prevent further drug resistance.
WHO’s latest report warns that without immediate, strong action, TB will continue to pose a severe public health threat, undermining years of progress and putting millions more at risk.