During pandemic, don't forget TB

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to infect vulnerable populations worldwide, a hidden public health crisis is brewing in developing nations, demanding immediate congressional action.

While tuberculosis, the most lethal global infectious disease, has been declining for years, coronavirus threatens substantial international progress at containing and treating the disease.

As countries have been forced to redirect resources allocated for fighting infectious diseases in order to address the pandemic, TB diagnoses have dropped globally. The number of reported cases of tuberculosis dropped by about 70 percent in Indonesia and 20 percent in China.

People infected with TB are less likely to be diagnosed as governments prioritize the coronavirus response, meaning vulnerable populations will be exposed to the killer disease.

A study from medRxiv estimates a 50% decline in TB case detection over three months could result in 1.85 million people dying to the disease, a 26% increase.

COVID-19 has taught us international outbreaks of infectious diseases also pose a threat to domestic health and safety. Congress must pass legislation to prevent this concerning trend from escalating any further. Senators Durbin and Duckworth, please co-sponsor the End Tuberculosis Now Act to provide international funding for TB infectious disease detection and treatment.

Arjun Thakkar

Wilmette