TB awareness campaign launched

The TB bacterium is becoming resistant to drugs

A campaign to tackle the growing incidence of tuberculosis (TB), has been launched by the government.

Fears of a resurgence of the disease have been fuelled by a rise in the number of TB cases in England and Wales since 1988, especially among children.

In London, where the problem is most serious, 3,000 cases of TB were recorded in 2000, which is nearly half the UK total.

The Department of Health is spearheading a public awareness campaign aimed at health care professionals to help them recognise the symptoms of the disease, which is difficult to diagnose.

Many people think of TB as a disease of Victorian times, however we still see worrying numbers of new diagnoses each year

Professor Brian Duerden, PHLS

It will also target high-risk communities to help break down negative stereotypes and stigmas associated with TB within these communities.

Health Minister Yvette Cooper said: "Although TB cases in this country are comparatively low, we have seen a rise, especially in London as part of a worldwide resurgence of TB.

"That is why this is the right time for a prevention campaign.

"It is important that TB is diagnosed early so it can be treated and is not spread further."

A provisional total of 6,838 cases was reported last year in the UK, compared to 6,572 in 2000.

The "TB - Be Aware" campaign has enlisted the support of some of the communities' most high profile celebrities to help 'de-stigmatise' TB and initiate discussion about the illness.

Meeting patient needs

Singer Patti Boulaye, former footballer John Fashanu and two of India's leading Bollywood stars, Ashkay Kumar and Sonali Bendre are featured in press, radio and television commercials which will break across ethnic media during the campaign.

The aims of the national programme are not only to reduce morbidity and mortality due to TB in the UK and to reduce the chances of the disease being passed onto others, but also to ensure that the services for TB fully meet the needs of patients.

This means firstly prompt diagnosis and secondly giving patients all the information and support they need to complete their treatment over many months.

London's increase in TB cases is a reflection of what is happening globally.

TB specialist at Barts and the Royal London Hospital Dr John Moore-Gillon is concerned the capital is under-resourced to deal with the growing number of cases.

He said: "We don't have as many lung consultants in training as we should have and we are short of TB specialist nurses.

"Immigration is significant, but is by no means the only issue.

Labour have presided over a complete breakdown of the vaccination programme for teenagers which they are still trying to catch up on

Dr Liam Fox, shadow health secretary

"People move out of this country, travel around, they come back to this country, as well as simply coming into this country.

"So proper screening programmes for immigrants is only part of the problem we have to deal with."

Commenting on the government's initiative, shadow health secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "In January last year, I warned Alan Milburn that the level of TB immunisation had fallen, the rate of TB infection had risen and that this presented a growing threat to the public.

"Labour have presided over a complete breakdown of the vaccination programme for teenagers which they are still trying to catch up on.

"They have demonstrated complete ignorance of the current level of precautions taken by port health authorities against TB.

"In many TB spots, there is still a serious shortage of specialist TB nurses.

"Nothing meaningful has been done to improve this situation.

"And the influx of people from high risk countries has grown alarmingly."

Migration patterns

TB is a continuing public health problem for developed and developing countries alike, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

However, it mainly affects the poor, and this year's World TB Day 2002 on 24 March focused on the link between TB and poverty.

Professor Brian Duerden, Medical Director at the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) said: "Many people think of TB as a disease of Victorian times, however we still see worrying numbers of new diagnoses each year in England and Wales."

"Higher TB rates in the UK are found in areas of greater deprivation, however, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between TB and poverty in the UK."

Professor Frances Drobniewski, Director of the Mycobacterium Reference Unit at the PHLS said: "One factor driving the spread of TB in developed countries is migration ; and provisional data shows us that 63% of TB cases in the year 2000 were in people born overseas.

"It is therefore important for the work of the PHLS to have an international dimension and to understand the picture in other countries."