The World Health Organisation estimates that 20% more people are falling ill with TB in South Africa than previously thought.
The higher number seen in the new report is likely not because of an actual increase in TB cases, but rather due to better data being available. Despite increases in TB notifications, there was still a large gap – 2.9 million – between the number of people newly diagnosed and reported and the 10 million people estimated to have developed TB last year.Given that the 360 000 is quite uncertain, the estimate of this treatment gap is also uncertain. Either way, these new figures will raise questions about the country’s TB case detection strategy.
At least 69% of people newly started on HIV treatment in South Africa last year also received TB preventive therapy.Preventive therapy – pills taken to prevent people from falling ill with TB – are considered a critical part of TB prevention efforts, especially for people living with HIV who are at an increased risk of developing TB.
Thought? So they dont conduct a study they just think.