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A "serious" Victorian disease is experiencing a surge in cases across the UK - including in Yorkshire.
Statistics from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicate that there were 1,076.1 instances of tuberculosis recorded in Yorkshire and the Humber from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 358.7 notifications each year.
This equates to 6.4 cases per 100,000 people in the region over these three years, which sits below the national average of 8.6 per 100,000 individuals and below the World Health Organisation's threshold of 10 per 100,000.
You can find out how many cases were reported in your Yorkshire area in the list below. The areas with the highest rates of tuberculosis in the region were:
Bradford with 14.4 notifications per 100,000 people Kirklees with 8.9 notifications per 100,000 people Sheffield with 8.8 notifications per 100,000 people Leeds with 8.3 notifications per 100,000 people Hull with 7.2 notifications per 100,000 people
Across the UK, 5,941 notifications of tuberculosis were recorded in 2024, up 13 per cent from 2023. The overall rate of tuberculosis was 8.6 notifications per 100,000 people, below the World Health Organisation's threshold of 10 per 100,000.
Tuberculosis primarily targets the lungs and can become severe if not addressed with antibiotics. A vaccine is also available to shield those most vulnerable.
Separate provisional UKHSA figures show 2,735 people have been notified with tuberculosis in the first six months of 2025. The recent report also showed 3,888 of the 4,409 (84%) people with drug-sensitive tuberculosis - cases where the infection can be treated with drugs - completed treatment in 2023. And some 175 (4%) people notified in 2023 and treated for drug-sensitive tuberculosis died.
Earlier this year, the UKHSA said the return of social mixing and international travel following the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as changing migration patterns, has led to the "reemergence, reestablishment and resurgence" of a number of illnesses.
Dame Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UKHSA, warned tuberculosis "remains a serious public health issue in England". She said: "This current rate of increase will soon see the UK lose its WHO low incidence status of 10 per 100,000 population."
Earlier this year UKHSA initiated a campaign to aid in crafting England's forthcoming tuberculosis national action plan, following a nationwide increase in cases. Asthma + Lung UK, a charity, previously expressed concern over the rising tuberculosis infections in England and urged the Government to devise an effective public health strategy.
Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK, described the escalation of cases across England as "worrying" but stated "it is not surprising". He highlighted a "well-established link" between poverty and lung diseases, cautioning that the growing number of individuals living in substandard conditions, including overcrowded and damp homes, has contributed to the spike in tuberculosis.
He highlighted that smoking "substantially increases" the risk of developing tuberculosis, noting that smoking rates are higher among more deprived communities. He said: "Tuberculosis is treatable, but people with symptoms need to be able to access healthcare and marginalised individuals face many barriers when trying to access the services they need.
"Effective implementation of a cross-government public health strategy is vital to address rising tuberculosis rates, but the Government must also tackle the root causes of inequality if we are to begin to close the health gap between rich and poor."
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is seeking input from various stakeholders, including health and social care professionals and public health experts, to develop a five-year action plan aimed at enhancing England's prevention and control of tuberculosis. It has issued a warning that provisional data indicates a potential 13 per cent increase in tuberculosis cases across the country in 2024, mirroring the global increase observed in recent years.
Dr Esther Robinson, who leads the UKHSA's tuberculosis unit, stressed that tuberculosis remains a "serious" public health issue in England, but emphasised that the disease is "preventable and curable". She advised that anyone who has recently arrived in England from regions where tuberculosis is more prevalent should be vigilant for symptoms and seek testing if necessary.
A testing and treatment programme is in place for people in areas of England with higher rates, or those coming from high-risk countries. The universal BCG vaccine programme for school-aged children was stopped in 2005 and replaced by a targeted programme for babies and children at risk of exposure to the disease.
Common symptoms include a cough that persists for more than three weeks, feeling fatigued or exhausted, high temperatures or night sweats, a loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.
Tuberculosis rates in every Yorkshire area Kirklees
There were 117.9 tuberculosis cases were reported in Kirklees from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 39.3 notifications each year.
Overall, the area had an average rate of 8.9 cases per 100,000 people - one of the highest rates in Yorkshire and The Humber.
Calderdale
There were 32.1 tuberculosis cases were reported in Calderdale from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 10.7 notifications each year.
Overall, the area had an average rate of 5.1 cases per 100,000 people.
Leeds
New local figures from the UK Health Security Agency show 207 tuberculosis cases were reported in Leeds from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 69 notifications each year.
Overall, the area had an average rate of 8.3 cases per 100,000 people - one of the highest rates in Yorkshire and The Humber.
Bradford
There were 240.9 tuberculosis cases were reported in Bradford from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 80.3 notifications each year.
Overall, the area had an average rate of 14.4 case per 100,000 people - the highest rate in Yorkshire and The Humber.
Sheffield
There were 152.1 tuberculosis cases were reported in Sheffield from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 50.7 notifications each year.
Overall, the area had an average rate of 8.8 cases per 100,000 people - one of the highest rates in Yorkshire and The Humber.
Rotherham
New local figures from the UK Health Security Agency show 27.9 tuberculosis cases were reported in Rotherham from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 9.3 notifications each year.
Overall, the area had an average rate of 3.4 cases per 100,000 people.
Doncaster
New local figures from the UK Health Security Agency show 66.9 tuberculosis cases were reported in Doncaster from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 22.3 notifications each year.
Overall, the area had an average rate of 7.1 cases per 100,000 people.
Barnsley York
New local figures from the UK Health Security Agency show 18.9 tuberculosis cases were reported in York from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 6.3 notifications each year.
Overall, the area had an average rate of 3.1 cases per 100,000 people.
North Yorkshire
There were 54 tuberculosis cases were reported in North Yorkshire from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 18 notifications each year.
Overall, the area had an average rate of 2.9 cases per 100,000 people.
East Yorkshire
There were 24.9 tuberculosis cases were reported in the East Riding of Yorkshire from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 8.3 notifications each year.
Overall, the area had an average rate of 2.4 cases per 100,000 people.
Hull
Hull had one of the highest rates of tuberculosis in Yorkshire and The Humber over the past three years, with 59.1 tuberculosis cases reported from 2022 to 2024. It meant there was an average of 19.7 notifications each year.
Overall, the area had an average rate of 7.2 cases per 100,000 people - one of the highest rates in the region.
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