On March 24, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed alarming statistics regarding Tuberculosis (TB) infections among children in its European region. The report indicates a significant spike of 10% in TB infections among children, underscoring the persistent transmission of this disease and emphasizing the urgent need for public health interventions to combat its spread.
The WHO's European region, which includes 53 countries across Europe and Central Asia, documented over 7,500 TB cases among children under the age of 15 in 2023. This marks an increase of more than 650 cases compared to 2022, highlighting a troubling trend in the rise of TB infections among the youngest population.
Hans Henri Kluge, the WHO's Regional Director for Europe, stressed that the increasing number of children affected by TB serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of progress made against this preventable and curable disease. Askar Yedilbayev, a regional TB advisor for WHO, shared insights in an interview, noting that the rise in overall cases could reflect improved diagnostic capabilities. However, he also pointed out that this increase may be exacerbated by heightened cross-border movements resulting from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has significantly impacted both countries and contributed to the region's high disease burden.
According to a joint report by the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, children under the age of 15 accounted for 4.3% of all TB cases within the European Union. This marks the third consecutive year of rising cases in this vulnerable age group, a trend that Yedilbayev regards as particularly alarming.
WHO has previously issued warnings regarding the detrimental effects of funding cuts from global donors, which threaten the progress made in controlling TB infections, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These financial reductions jeopardize TB programs in non-EU nations and may lead to an increase in hard-to-treat strains of the disease. Yedilbayev noted that local on-ground workforces have already been adversely affected by these funding cuts, leaving the availability of diagnostics and treatment options at risk.
Tuberculosis remains one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, primarily affecting the lungs. This potentially fatal bacterial infection spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, further emphasizing the urgent need for effective public health responses to control its transmission.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for health authorities and governments across the European region to implement stringent measures aimed at curbing the spread of TB, especially among children. With continued vigilance and dedicated resources, there is hope for reversing the rising trend of TB infections and safeguarding the health of future generations.
