Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - WHO experts note that due to the decrease in the period of 2015-2019 the incidence of tuberculosis by 9%, and mortality from this disease - by 14% in the world, there is still a tendency to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis. Thus, in the first half of 2020, compared to the same period of 2019, this indicator in such most vulnerable countries as India, Indonesia, the Philippines decreased by 25% -30%.

At the same time, experts warn that against the background of the fight against coronavirus, there is a disdainful attitude towards the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, as a result of which this disease can affect 6.3 million people from 2020 to 2025 in the world. In 2019, 1.4 million people died from diseases associated with tuberculosis, 10 million cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed.

According to WHO estimates, the negative consequences of the pandemic may also affect the increase in the incidence of tuberculosis. It is argued that between a quarter and a third of all people in the world are carriers of tuberculosis, and therefore factors such as starvation, malnutrition, severe stress, weakness due to other diseases, can trigger an outbreak.

In this regard, in order to successfully implement the previously adopted strategy until 2030, which provides for a reduction in mortality from tuberculosis by 90% and morbidity by 80% compared to 2015, WHO considers it necessary to direct efforts of states to the diagnosis and preventive treatment of patients with latent tuberculosis infection. , the formation of a sufficient reserve of drugs in case of supply disruptions due to the second wave of coronavirus.

Among the effective measures to combat tuberculosis in a pandemic, there is also the introduction of digital technologies for remote counseling, which are already used in 108 countries, and methods of treatment at home.

In general, countries are encouraged to revise their national tuberculosis control programs, strengthening close collaboration with WHO and the private sector, and to strengthen the necessary research in this direction.