Tuberculosis: A Global Epidemic

Tuberculosis is a major global epidemic affecting millions worldwide. This article discusses the prevalence, symptoms, and treatment of the disease, with a focus on the situation in Somalia. It also highlights the efforts of the UK government to prevent the transmission of infection and promote awareness about the disease.

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Background:
Tuberculosis can be defined as an infectious
disease that affects the major respiratory
organ, the lungs. Studies indicate that
Tuberculosis has emerged out to be second
major global epidemic that leads to a higher
mortality rate of the world population
(WHO 2018). According to the report
published by the World Health
Organization, (2018) it has been estimated
that almost one-fourth of the total world’s
population is infected with Tuberculosis.
The year 2017 witnessed 1.3 million deaths
caused by Tuberculosis worldwide (WHO
2018). Also, the report published by the
WHO indicated that almost 3 million TB
cases remain unrecognized by the healthcare
organizations (WHO 2018). Researchers
have further estimated that Tuberculosis
majorly affects women who belong to the
age group between 15-44 (nhs.uk 2018). The
predominant symptoms of TB include,
pertinent coughing. High temperature, night
sweats, sudden weight loss and fatigue
(nhs.uk 2018). The disease is caused by an
airborne pathogenic bacteria which is known
as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (nhs.uk
2018).
Physicians have classified
Tuberculosis under two categories that
include, Latent TB and Active TB. In case
of Latent TB, the bacteria remains inactive
inside the body and causes no infection.
However, the bacteria might assume an
active form at any instant and can cause
infection (Getahun et al. 2015). In case of
Active TB, the bacteria causes external
symptoms and has the potential to cause an
infection within a normal person through
transmission (Galagan et al. 2013). It has
been estimated that one-third of the total

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world population suffers from latent TB and
have compromised immune systems
(Galagan et al. 2013). The condition is
common in people who are HIV positive,
smokers and are malnourished.
Comparison:
Research studies have predicted that the
disease is more prevalent in the younger
population of the developing countries. It is
critical to note in this context, that the
disparity in the prevalence ratio is primarily
on account of the advancement in the
detection and treatment methods of the
disorder. According to the statistical
evidences, it has been mentioned TB in
Somalia is extremely common and has an
incidence rate of 290 per 10,000 people
(WHO 2018). The lack of education and
awareness about the disease and its causes in
combination with the lack of proper medical
health infrastructure to treat the condition
has caused TB to emerge out a disease
burden. Also, the lack of trained healthcare
professionals assist patients with the
condition can be counted as another major
factor.
Source: (nhs.uk 2018)

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Source: (WHO 2018)
On the other hand, the National Institute for
Health and Care excellence, UK,
recommends mandatory TB screening of
patients who are at a high risk of developing
the disorder. The screening sis sufficiently
equipped to distinguish between the latent
and the active form of TB. In addition to
this, the UK government observes stringent
measures to promote awareness about the
disease and has stringent policies to prevent
the transmission of infection from external
sources (nhs.uk 2018). For instance, the
government has made the pre-entry TB
screening for migrants a compulsory
criterion for individuals who wish to gain
entry to UK. On the other hand, screening
test and anti-TB drugs are yet to be
assimilated into the healthcare organizations
of Somalia.

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Source: (Emro.who.int 2018).
Source: (Emro.who.int 2018).

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Conclusion:
Therefore to conclude, it should be
mentioned that the plight of Somalia is
gradually reducing with the compliance of
the anti-TB campaign launched by the
WHO. National guidelines have been
established for improving the quality of
treatment rendered to the patients. Also, the
program has focused on creating awareness
and included short courses for imparting
training to the healthcare professionals.

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References:
Emro.who.int 2018. WHO EMRO | Tuberculosis | Programmes | Somalia. [online]
Emro.who.int. Available at: http://www.emro.who.int/som/programmes/tb.html [Accessed 8
Dec. 2018].
Galagan, J.E., Minch, K., Peterson, M., Lyubetskaya, A., Azizi, E., Sweet, L., Gomes, A.,
Rustad, T., Dolganov, G., Glotova, I. and Abeel, T., 2013. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis
regulatory network and hypoxia. Nature, 499(7457), p.178.
Getahun, H., Matteelli, A., Chaisson, R.E. and Raviglione, M., 2015. Latent Mycobacterium
tuberculosis infection. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(22), pp.2127-2135.
nhs.uk 2018. Tuberculosis (TB). [online] nhs.uk. Available at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tuberculosis-tb/ [Accessed 8 Dec. 2018].
World Health Organization 2018. Global tuberculosis report. [online] World Health
Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/en/ [Accessed 8
Dec. 2018].