The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) is asking the the public to be vigilant when discovering a cough as tuberculosis levels have risen in the Merseyside and the North West.
Anyone with a cough, particularly those in groups that are at high risk for TB, are being urged not to dismiss their persistent cough and fever as COVID-19 as it could be caused by a range of other issues, including TB.
There were a total of 483 cases of tuberculosis in the North West last year, with the total number this year expected to be similar. The TB team at the Royal Liverpool Hospital believe that there have been around 100 cases of both active and latent tuberculosis in Liverpool.
READ MORE: How to tell if you have hay fever or covid
Since 2011, the numbers of TB diagnoses nationwide had been on the falling, until 2019, when the decade of decline stopped and numbers began to rise once more. However, numbers did fall in 2020, though the UKHSA attributes this to the lack of access to healthcare and provisions during the pandemic as numbers rose by 7.4% nationwide in 2021.
TB is a serious infectious disease and it's symptoms can be similar to that of Coronavirus. The symptoms include a persistent cough (for longer than three weeks) which usually brings up phlegm which may be bloody, fever, breathlessness that gets worse gradually, fatigue and even night sweats.
It can be a life threatening disease, though can be treated successfully with antibiotics. The risk factors for tuberculosis include close contact with a person with infectious TB disease, migration from countries with high rates of TB, homelessness, substance misuse, a weakened immune system and imprisonment.
The NHS in the North West is seeing the impact of covid on TB cases, says Stacey Farrow, lead TB nurse for the region.
“Later presentation to GPs is resulting in more extensive disease and spread among families following prolonged close contact.
“We’re working hard to ensure TB services are back to full capacity and that patients have access to specialist doctors and nurses.
“A priority for the North West is to reduce TB cases by increasing screening and offering treatment before people become unwell and infectious. We’re striving to ensure all new entrants to the NW are screened for TB and have easy access to medical and nursing care."
Numbers of drug resistant TB also increased in both 2019 and 2020. There were more cases of drug-resistant TB in 2020 than any year since enhanced surveillance began. 11.6% of cases were resistant to any drug and 2.4% were multidrug resistant.
TB disproportionally impacts under-served populations such as those who have been homeless, spent time in prison or misused drugs and other substances. Ensuring that everyone has access to a timely diagnosis and effective treatment is critical.
Dr Merav Kliner, Interim Regional Deputy Director of the UK Health Security Agency, in the North West said: “TB is curable and preventable and now is the time to get our elimination efforts back on track. Despite significant progress towards elimination in recent years, tuberculosis remains a serious public health issue in the UK.
"With treatment, most people will make a full recovery, but delayed diagnosis and treatment, particularly during the pandemic, will have increased the number of undetected tuberculosis cases in the country.
“It is important to remember that not every persistent cough, along with a fever, is COVID-19. A cough that usually has mucus and lasts longer than three weeks can be caused by a range of other issues, including tuberculosis.
"Tuberculosis develops slowly, and it may take several weeks, months or even years after you were infected before you notice you're unwell. Contact your GP if you think you could be at risk so you can get tested and treated.”
