Tuberculosis numbers remain above targets

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the European Union is still well above World Health Organization (WHO) targets, according to a report published today (22 March).

A WHO Global Tuberculosis Control report finds that in 2005 only eight of the 27 EU countries reported fewer than ten TB cases per 100,000 citizens - the WHO target.

TB rates are generally highest in the 12 countries that have joined the EU since 2004, with Romania reporting 134 per 100,000 people. Eastern Europe is also reported to have the highest levels of multi-drug resistant TB in the world.

Only Cyprus and Malta among the new member states fall below the ten per 100,000 target.

The six old member states with an incidence rate below ten per 100,000 in 2005 were Denmark, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands.

Portugal and Spain had the highest TB rates, with 33/100,000 and 27/100,000 cases, respectively.

A separate study from the European Commission-funded EuroTB network today showed a total of 91,845 tuberculosis cases were reported in the 27 EU member states in 2005, although Europe still enjoys some of the lowest TB rates in the world.

Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou has asked the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to draw up an EU TB action plan.

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the European Union is still well above World Health Organization (WHO) targets, according to a report published today (22 March).