Tuberculosis Cases in England Continue to Increase
Source: UKHSA, 30 January 2025
The latest provisional annual data for 2024 from the UKHSA indicates a 13% increase in reported tuberculosis (TB) notifications in England compared to 2023, rising from 4,850 to 5,480 cases. This continues the upward trend observed over recent years.
Although England remains a low-incidence country for TB, the notification rate increased from 8.5 per 100,000 population in 2023 to 9.5 per 100,000 in 2024. Notably, 81.5% of all TB notifications in 2024 were among individuals born outside the UK, though increases were seen in both UK-born and non-UK-born populations.
TB remains associated with deprivation and is more prevalent in large urban areas. The largest increases in TB notifications in 2024 were recorded in London and the West Midlands. Among UK-born individuals, TB is more common among those experiencing homelessness, drug or alcohol dependency, and contact with the criminal justice system.