0
0
As Europe grapples with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a stark revelation has emerged regarding the impact on tuberculosis (TB) mortality rates. According to a newly released report ahead of World TB Day on March 24, Europe experienced approximately 7,000 additional deaths from TB between 2020 and 2022 compared to pre-pandemic estimates.
The report, jointly conducted by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, attributes the surge in TB-related deaths to disruptions in diagnosis and treatment efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, Regional Director at WHO/Europe, lamented the preventable loss of lives, emphasizing that individuals affected by TB were left vulnerable amidst the pandemic. The report underscores the urgent need for stronger TB services to prevent further unnecessary deaths.
Of particular concern is the decline in successful TB treatments using first-line medicines, with only six out of 10 patients experiencing successful cure rates, the lowest in a decade. This contrasts sharply with the high success rates observed among patients infected with strains responsive to antibiotics rifampicin and isoniazid.
Additionally, the report highlights the escalating prevalence of drug-resistant TB, signaling an evolving crisis that demands immediate attention from national authorities. Dr. Hans urged authorities to bolster TB testing programs and expedite diagnoses to curb the spread of drug-resistant strains.
Moreover, the report raises red flags regarding the suboptimal management of TB and HIV co-infection, indicating areas for improvement in healthcare interventions.
To address these challenges and mitigate the impact of TB, the report advocates for scaling up efforts to actively identify and treat missing cases. Recommendations include enhancing TB testing capabilities, expanding access to preventive treatment, and implementing more effective oral treatment regimens.
As Europe confronts the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB mortality rates, urgent action is needed to strengthen healthcare systems and prioritize TB prevention and treatment initiatives. Failure to address these issues risks exacerbating the toll of TB on vulnerable populations across the region.
