Every year, March 24 marks World Tuberculosis Day (TB) to raise public awareness of the devastating health, societal and economic consequences of tuberculosis and to intensify efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
This year, the theme of the day is “The clock is ticking! ” and sends the message that the world no longer has time to act on the commitments made by global leaders to end TB. This is particularly critical in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has jeopardized progress in combating TB and ensuring equitable access to prevention and care, in line with the WHO’s effort to ensure Universal Health Coverage.
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis which most commonly affects the lungs. It is transmitted through the air when people with pulmonary TB cough, sneeze or spit. It is enough for a person to inhale only a few germs to become infected.
Tuberculosis and COVID-19 are infectious diseases that primarily attack the lungs. Both diseases have similar symptoms, such as cough, fever and shortness of breath. However, the difference is that TB has a longer incubation period, with a slower onset of the disease. While the experience of COVID-19 infection in patients with TB remains limited, it is anticipated that people with TB and COVID-19 may have poorer treatment outcomes, especially if TB treatment is discontinued.
TB remains one of the deadliest infectious criminals in the world. 1.4 million people died from TB in 2019 (including 208,000 people with HIV). Worldwide, TB is one of the top 10 causes of death.
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health threat. A global total of 206,030 people with multidrug-resistant TB or rifampicin (MDR / RR-TB) were detected and reported in 2019, an increase of 10% compared to 186,883 in 2018.
Nationally, tuberculosis remains one of the priority public health problems, with the country being among the 40 countries with the highest burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the world.
According to the statistical yearbook, during 2019 there were 2382 new cases plus recurrences of tuberculosis, which is a rate of 67.2 per 100 thousand population on the incidence, compared to 2018 (2502 new cases plus recurrences, 70.6 per 100 thousand population) and the year 2017 (2700 new cases plus recurrences, 76.1 per 100 thousand population).
Tuberculosis mortality for 2019 was 5.9 per 100 thousand population (209 cases), compared to 2018 – 6.5 per 100 thousand population (232 cases).
In 2019, the rate of drug-resistant tuberculosis was 18.6% among new cases and 39.3% among repeated treatment cases.
In Moldova, the treatment of tuberculosis for all patients is free. The success rate among new cases and recurrences of drug-sensitive tuberculosis for patients who started treatment in 2018 was 83.9%.
How can you prevent tuberculosis infection?
– Vaccinate against TB according to the National Vaccination Calendar;
– Observe the rules of personal hygiene (cover your mouth during coughing, do not spit down) and hygiene of the house (perform regular cleaning, ventilation of rooms, exposure of linen to the sun);
– Avoid contact with sick people;
– Avoid drug use and smoking;
– Avoid stress;
– Eat healthy;
– If you have been in contact with a person with TB, consult your family doctor.
The clock is ticking. It’s time to keep our promises. It’s time to stop TB.
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