TB infections, deaths likely to rise with focus on Covid-19
An HIV positive TB patient holds a packet of tablets received as part of his treatment at Rutsanana Polyclinic in Glen Norah township, Harare, Zimbabwe, on June 24, 2019. PHOTO | JEKESAI NJIKIZANA | AFP
With lockdowns and limitations on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention services, the study says, the annual number of global TB cases and deaths is expected to increase over the next five years.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned that, with all focus directed at containing Covid-19, more people are likely to die from the indirect effects of the pandemic.
Already, about 411 people in Kenya contract TB while 90 die every day from the disease caused by bacteria that are spread through the air from person to person.
The number of people infected and dying of tuberculosis (TB) is likely to increase due to disruption of services, as countries focus more on containing the Covid-19 pandemic, a new study has shown.
With lockdowns and limitations on diagnosis, treatment and prevention services, the study says, the annual number of global TB cases and deaths is expected to increase over the next five years, to levels last seen between 2013 and 2016.
