Sunday 29/March/2026 – 10:55 PM
The United States has recently witnessed a significant increase in cases of the disease tuberculosis, Historically known as the white plague, it has sparked warnings from health experts about what they describe as a rebound effect after years of declines and limited diagnosis during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tuberculosis cases rise in the United States and warnings of a rebound effect
Specialists indicate that latent tuberculosis infections that were not detected or treated during the pandemic have begun to reappear in the form of active cases, with the return of normal activity in screening and diagnostic programs, along with an increase in international travel and changes in migration patterns.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, more than 10,600 cases were recorded in 2024, the highest annual rate in more than a decade, with the increase continuing for three consecutive years.
Health experts have confirmed that tuberculosis is a treatable bacterial infection, but its danger lies in its transmission through the air, and the possibility of it developing from a latent, non-contagious condition to an active disease in a percentage of those infected.
Specialized doctors explained that what is currently happening is a direct result of the disruption of health follow-up systems during the pandemic, which led to the accumulation of undetected cases, which began to appear later with the return of routine medical examinations.
They pointed out that the most vulnerable groups include people with weak immunity, those with chronic diseases, those living in crowded conditions, or belonging to areas with high rates of spread.
