As cases continue to rise nationally, members of the local authority are urging locals to be aware of the signs and symptoms.
The news comes today, Monday 24th March which marks World Tuberculosis Day – an event founded by the World Health Organisation in 1982.
Tuberculosis, according to the NHS, is a contagious bacterial infection that affects the lungs and is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The illness is airborne and while curable it can be fatal without treatment.
Last month, figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed cases of tuberculosis increased by 13% in England in 2023.
Against this backdrop, Leeds became a Fast Track City in February 2023 which is a global partnership initiative where cities commit to reducing the transmission of tuberculosis along with HIV and viral hepatitis.
What’s more, the city’s Community Healthcare Trust tuberculosis service will be hosting a stall on Wednesday 26th March in the Jubilee wing of Leeds General Infirmary to raise awareness of the illness.
‘Early diagnosis is vital in the fight against tuberculosis and key to a quick recovery,’ Cllr Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing said. ‘Not eery persistent cough, along with fever, is caused by flu or Covid-19. A cough that usually has mucus and lasts longer than three weeks can be caused by a range of other issues including tuberculosis.’
‘It is really important that people living in Leeds know the symptoms to look for and speak to their GP,’ Cllr Venner continued.
Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health added: ‘Tuberculosis is curable and preventable, but the disease remains a serious public health issue in England.
‘We continue to work to improve the prevention and detection of tuberculosis but with rates increasing nationally, it is essential that the wider public have an awareness of tuberculosis, report symptoms of active TB to their GP and access latent TB testing if they are eligible.’
Image supplied by Leeds City Council
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