WHO Aims at Eliminating Tuberculosis in 33 Countries With Low Levels of the Disease

The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the European Respiratory Society has set a new target to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB) in countries where the disease levels are low.

The WHO   announced recently that it would eliminate TB in over 33 countries and territories where there are less than 100 TB cases per million population by the middle of this century.

The process will be undertaken in a phased manner with the initial pre-elimination phase aimed at  less than 10 new TB cases per million people by 2035 in these countries. By 2050 they aim at completely eradicating TB i.e. less than 1 case per million people every year.

Tuberculosis is caused by the micro-organism mycobacterium tuberculosis and affects the lungs. This infectious disease is air borne and occurs by inhaling tiny droplets of cough or sneeze from an infected person. It is reported that in the 33 countries and territories that report less cases still 155,000 people fall ill every year and 10,000 die due to the infection. 

"Low TB-burden countries already have the means to drive down TB cases dramatically by 2035," says Dr Hiroki Nakatani, WHO assistant director-general. "Universal health coverage, which ensures everyone has access to the health services they need without suffering financial hardship as a result, is the bedrock. The key is to target smart TB interventions towards the people who need them most."

Italy is leading among the 21 European countries addressed by the framework. Among the 33 setting, seven are from America, three from WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region and two from WHO's Western Pacific Region.

The poor, homeless, migrants and members of ethnic minorities are the most vulnerable to this infection. Those using drugs and having poor immune system also suffer a greater risk of getting TB.

"Powerful antibiotics and better living standards have almost pushed the disease out of many high-income countries. But we still have not succeeded. And if we do the wrong things now, TB could rebound, including with more drug-resistant forms," says Professor G.B. Migliori from ERS. "But if we get it right, and recommit to fighting the disease, both at home and abroad, TB will eventually no longer be a public health threat."