International Health
Tuberculosis, a curable disease that in 2024 alone affected more than 10 million people
23/03/2026
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Every 24 March, World Tuberculosis Day is observed — a day promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness of a disease that, despite being preventable and curable, remains one of the deadliest infections worldwide.
According to the WHO, in 2024, 10.7 million people fell ill with tuberculosis and 1.23 million died from the disease. These alarming figures highlight the urgent need to strengthen prevention, early diagnosis and access to treatment.
But what is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which mainly affects the lungs but can also involve other organs.
How is it transmitted?
Transmission occurs through the air: it spreads when a person with active tuberculosis coughs, speaks or sneezes, releasing droplets that can be inhaled by others.
If I have the infection, do I have the disease?
No. You can be infected without developing the disease. When the inhaled bacteria reach the lungs, they may be eliminated by the body’s defences, or, conversely, they may overcome them and begin to multiply. Although in most cases the immune system succeeds in stopping the infection from progressing, the bacillus can remain alive and dormant in different parts of the body for a person’s entire life or for much of it. This is known as latent tuberculosis infection.A person in this situation carries the Koch bacillus but is not ill and therefore is not infectious. They show no symptoms of tuberculosis, their chest X-rays and other imaging tests are normal, and laboratory tests to detect the bacillus are negative, although the tuberculin skin test will be positive.
However, if a person’s immune defences are weakened, or if the exposure to the bacteria is very intense, active tuberculosis disease may develop.
What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?
In 75–80% of cases, tuberculosis affects the lungs, but in 15–25% it can involve other organs and tissues outside the lungs. The symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis include:
- Persistent cough lasting more than two weeks
- Fever and night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Intense fatigue
- Chest pain and difficulty breathing
In children, symptoms may be less obvious and can include poor growth, persistent cough or malnutrition. This makes diagnosis more difficult and results in nearly half of paediatric cases going undetected.
When tuberculosis affects other organs, the symptoms depend on the area involved. Some common forms include lymph node involvement, ileal tuberculosis, bone tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis, among others.
Who is most affected?
Tuberculosis primarily affects adults in their most productive years, although it can occur in all age groups. In addition, children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and those who are immunocompromised due to treatments or underlying conditions are at higher risk of developing the disease.
It is also important to note that more than 80% of cases and deaths from this infection currently occur in low- and middle-income countries.
In which countries is tuberculosis most prevalent?
This disease is present worldwide. However, in 2024, the highest number of cases was recorded in the South-East Asia Region (34%), followed by the Western Pacific Region (27%) and Africa (25%).The countries with the largest number of cases are India, Indonesia, the Philippines, China and Pakistan. Together, these five countries account for 55% of global cases.
How can tuberculosis be prevented?
Tuberculosis is preventable, and there are several key strategies to reduce its transmission:
1. BCG vaccination
The BCG vaccine is especially important for children, as it protects them from the most severe forms of the disease, such as tuberculous meningitis. It is commonly included in vaccination schedules in countries with high tuberculosis incidence.
2. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment
Detecting and treating tuberculosis quickly is essential to stopping transmission and preventing complications. The WHO highlights the importance of rapid, accessible diagnostic tools as a way to reach patients sooner.
3. Preventive treatment for people at risk
Individuals who have had close contact with active cases, immunocompromised people or children may benefit from preventive treatments to avoid developing the disease.
4. Improvements in living conditions
Tuberculosis is strongly linked to social and economic factors. Prevention also involves reducing smoking, improving ventilation, decreasing poverty and strengthening community health systems.
A global challenge, but an achievable one
Tuberculosis is curable, preventable and diagnosable. Strengthening awareness, reducing stigma and ensuring equitable access to diagnosis and treatment are essential steps towards a future free of this disease.
In fact, the WHO’s slogan for 2026 — “Yes! We can End TB!” — reflects the global commitment to eradicating a disease that still affects millions of people, but for which effective solutions already exist if the necessary resources and political will are dedicated to it.
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