WHO warns as child tuberculosis cases in Europe rise 10% in 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) cases among children in Europe's WHO region increased by 10% in 2023, marking a troubling rise that underscores ongoing disease transmission, according to a World Health Organization report released on Monday.

Over 7,500 TB cases were recorded among children under 15 across Europe and Central Asia—an increase of more than 650 cases compared to 2022. WHO Europe Regional Director Hans Henri Kluge stressed that this increase highlights the fragility of progress in combating TB, a preventable and curable disease.

Askar Yedilbayev, WHO's regional TB adviser, suggested the rise might reflect better diagnosis or increased cross-border migration resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war, both high-burden TB countries.

Children now constitute 4.3% of total TB cases in the European Union, marking the third consecutive year of increasing childhood infections. Yedilbayev described this trend as a "worrisome scenario."

WHO previously cautioned that reduced funding from global donors threatens TB programmes, especially in non-EU countries, risking the spread of drug-resistant TB strains. Funding shortages have already compromised local healthcare capacities, putting TB diagnosis and treatment supplies in jeopardy.

TB remains one of the world's top 10 deadliest diseases, primarily infecting lungs and transmitted via coughing or sneezing.

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