Tuberculosis on a Rise in UK and London

According to a paper published in The Lancet, London has become the ‘tuberculosis capital of Europe’. It is largely due to immigration. With more than 9000 cases of tuberculosis diagnosed annually, Britain is now the only Western European country with rising rates of the disease. 4 in 10 of these cases are diagnosed in London alone. Prof Alimuddin Zumla of University College London, a tuberculosis expert said, "Poor housing, inadequate ventilation, and overcrowding- conditions prevalent in Victorian Britain- are causes of the higher tuberculosis incidence rates in certain London boroughs."

Bacterial infection is responsible for the disease. It usually affects the lungs. Most people fight off the infection without any symptoms. Prolonged and close contact with an infected person is required for tuberculosis to occur. People with a weak health and newborn babies are prone to develop tuberculosis. Symptoms include- persistent cough, breathlessness, joint pain, meningitis. Tuberculosis causes 3million deaths a year worldwide.

Source-Medindia