Menu
07/10/2004
New plan to eradicate TB in Britain unveiled
New measures to tackle and eliminate tuberculosis in Britain have been announced today by the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson.
The plan, 'Stopping Tuberculosis in England', envisions tackling the disease – which kills round 350 people in England each year – by increasing the awareness of the disease amongst health professional and the public, establishing high-quality surveillance to monitor the disease in high risk groups, identifying the infection early, and ensuring excellence in clinical care for patients with TB.
Sir Liam Donaldson said: "In our battle against tuberculosis, the disease has regained the upper hand. We need to get back to public health basics. Identifying the high-risk groups early, ensuring effective treatment for them and using modern laboratory techniques to track the disease are all vital control measures. Experience elsewhere has shown that the march of TB can be halted."
TB in England has increased by 25% over the last 10 years – with over 6,000 people newly diagnosed in England in 2002. However, it is not the EU leader – Germany, Portugal, Spain and Ireland have higher TB infection rates.
Most at risk of contracting TB are people who have lived or worked in parts of the world where TB is common.
If left untreated, a person with infectious TB of the lungs infects, on average, 10-15 people a year.
(gmcg/mb)
The plan, 'Stopping Tuberculosis in England', envisions tackling the disease – which kills round 350 people in England each year – by increasing the awareness of the disease amongst health professional and the public, establishing high-quality surveillance to monitor the disease in high risk groups, identifying the infection early, and ensuring excellence in clinical care for patients with TB.
Sir Liam Donaldson said: "In our battle against tuberculosis, the disease has regained the upper hand. We need to get back to public health basics. Identifying the high-risk groups early, ensuring effective treatment for them and using modern laboratory techniques to track the disease are all vital control measures. Experience elsewhere has shown that the march of TB can be halted."
TB in England has increased by 25% over the last 10 years – with over 6,000 people newly diagnosed in England in 2002. However, it is not the EU leader – Germany, Portugal, Spain and Ireland have higher TB infection rates.
Most at risk of contracting TB are people who have lived or worked in parts of the world where TB is common.
If left untreated, a person with infectious TB of the lungs infects, on average, 10-15 people a year.
(gmcg/mb)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 March 2004
Europe threatened by drug-resistant TB strains
The prevalence of strains of resistant tuberculosis in Eastern Europe is a major concern to public health in the European Union.
Europe threatened by drug-resistant TB strains
The prevalence of strains of resistant tuberculosis in Eastern Europe is a major concern to public health in the European Union.
22 March 2006
TB care changes issued as cases increase
The Health Protection Agency's laboratories have introduced technology to enable better identification of the different strains of bacteria that cause tuberculosis, as figures show that cases of the infection are continuing to rise. TB has been increasing in the UK since the late 1980s, with 7,167 cases reported in 2004, compared to 6,837 in 2003.
TB care changes issued as cases increase
The Health Protection Agency's laboratories have introduced technology to enable better identification of the different strains of bacteria that cause tuberculosis, as figures show that cases of the infection are continuing to rise. TB has been increasing in the UK since the late 1980s, with 7,167 cases reported in 2004, compared to 6,837 in 2003.
29 May 2009
Widespread Use Of Aspirin Slammed
A new study in The Lancet medical journal has found that healthy people who take aspirin reduced their already small risk of heart attack or stroke by just 12%. However, the small risk of internal bleeding increased by a third.
Widespread Use Of Aspirin Slammed
A new study in The Lancet medical journal has found that healthy people who take aspirin reduced their already small risk of heart attack or stroke by just 12%. However, the small risk of internal bleeding increased by a third.
03 December 2004
Rapid rise reported in TB cases in London
Figures released recently show that there has been a two-fold increase in the number of Tuberculosis sufferers in London. Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease which though rife in Britain more than 50 years ago, was considered more or less to have been eradicated by the 1970s.
Rapid rise reported in TB cases in London
Figures released recently show that there has been a two-fold increase in the number of Tuberculosis sufferers in London. Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease which though rife in Britain more than 50 years ago, was considered more or less to have been eradicated by the 1970s.
06 July 2005
Government announces changes to TB vaccinations
The BCG vaccination programme against tuberculosis is to be changed, Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson has announced. The current vaccination programme, which is delivered through schools, is to be replaced with a programme of targeted vaccinations for those people at greatest risk of contracting TB.
Government announces changes to TB vaccinations
The BCG vaccination programme against tuberculosis is to be changed, Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson has announced. The current vaccination programme, which is delivered through schools, is to be replaced with a programme of targeted vaccinations for those people at greatest risk of contracting TB.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
