In a concerning trend, tuberculosis (TB) has surpassed COVID-19 as the world’s leading infectious disease killer, with a record 8.2 million new cases reported in 2023, according to the WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Report 202412. This marks the highest number of TB cases since global monitoring began in 1995. Despite a decline in TB-related deaths to 1.25 million, the disease remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in high-burden countries like India and Indonesia34.

Key Developments:

• Rising Cases: The increase in TB cases is attributed to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted diagnostic and treatment services3.

• Global Response: The WHO urges countries to expand the use of TB prevention, diagnostic, and treatment tools to combat the disease effectively1.

• Funding Challenges: Achieving global TB targets requires significant funding, with an estimated $22 billion needed annually4.

As TB continues to pose a major health threat, international efforts are crucial to address this growing crisis.