12 Oct 2011

Global incidence of TB falls for first time

1:16 pm on 12 October 2011

The number of people in the world falling ill with tuberculosis has declined for the first time, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

New figures show the global death toll has also fallen, to its lowest level in a decade, with major headway made in China (where the death rate fell by almost 80% between 1990 and 2010), Brazil, Kenya and Tanzania.

According to WHO, the figures represent a significant milestone in the battle against a disease that infects a third of the world's population, although only a small proportion become sick as a result.

The number of people who died from TB peaked at 1.8 million people in 2003; by 2010 the number had declined to 1.4 million.

WHO warns however that a lack of funds threatens progress, especially in relation to multi-drug-resistant TB, the BBC reports.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says there is no cause for complacency.