The Hidden Threat: Tuberculosis Cases on the Rise Amidst Limited Resources
(Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase anything through these affiliated links, the author/website may earn a commission.)
In the age of COVID-19, a less talked about but equally urgent health crisis is brewing in the United States – the resurgence of tuberculosis (TB). Despite a brief decline at the start of the pandemic, TB cases have seen an alarming 5% increase in 2022, according to the latest figures from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The number of TB cases rose from 7,874 in 2021 to 8,300 in 2022.
While these numbers are still lower than pre-pandemic figures, certain states, including Alaska, Nevada, South Carolina, and Washington, have surpassed their previous records. Yet, as TB cases rise, public awareness remains distressingly low.
A Silent Epidemic
Contrary to popular belief, TB is not a disease of the past. Dr. John Brooks, Chief Medical Officer of the CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, warns that “TB is still very much a concern in the U.S., particularly among marginalized communities and those with compromised immune systems.” However, the disease’s insidious nature, combined with a lack of public awareness, makes it a silent killer.