Tuberculosis Reclaims Title as Leading Infectious Disease Killer

The World Health Organization reports a record 8.2 million new TB cases in 2023, surpassing COVID-19 in global infectious disease deaths.

The WHO's 2024 report shows 10.8 million people fell ill with TB last year, with 1.25 million deaths, highlighting its resurgence as the top infectious disease killer.
India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan account for over half of the global TB burden, with India alone contributing 26% of cases.
Multidrug-resistant TB remains a critical public health challenge, with only 44% of the estimated 400,000 cases diagnosed and treated in 2023.
Funding shortfalls are significant, with only 26% of the global target for TB prevention and care met, impacting low- and middle-income countries the hardest.
Key risk factors for new TB cases include undernutrition, HIV infection, alcohol use disorders, smoking, and diabetes, necessitating coordinated global action.