Infection rates have skyrocketed from Great Britain to Texas, surprising many of us who believed this disease was a thing of the past.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or spit. Inhaling just a few germs can lead to infection.
The increase in cases of tuberculosis is not fully understood, but it is thought to be influenced by the rise in international travel. This can introduce tuberculosis to countries and regions that have previously had fewer cases. Additionally, there is growing concern about the prevalence of drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis claimed the lives of more than 1.25 million individuals worldwide in 2023. In 2022, Texas reported the second highest number of cases.
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- California (22.2%)
- Texas (13.2%)
- New York, including New York City (8.6%)
- Florida (6.4%)
