Cases of 'white plague' rising in US as doctors warn of 'rebound effect'

Key Points:

• Tuberculosis (TB), known as "the white plague," has been rising in the U.S. since the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 10,600 cases confirmed in 2024, marking the highest annual number since 2013.
• The increase is attributed to disruptions in TB surveillance and treatment during the pandemic, reactivation of latent infections, and increased international travel and migration from high TB-burden countries.
• TB primarily affects the lungs and is spread through airborne particles, with symptoms ranging from mild cough to severe cases involving coughing up blood; it is both preventable and treatable with a lengthy course of antibiotics.
• Latent TB infections, which are not contagious, can develop into active disease in 5% to 10% of infected individuals, making early detection and treatment critical to preventing spread and severe outcomes.
• High-risk groups include those born in or traveling to high TB-burden countries, immunocompromised individuals, and people living in crowded conditions; screening is recommended for these populations rather than the general public.