7,806 cases recorded in TB epidemic in Bauchi

WITH no end yet in sight in the tuberculosis epidemic that erupted in Bauchi State in 2022, number of confirmed infection has risen to about 7,806 cases.

  Executive Secretary of Bauchi State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria, Sani Mohammad, gave the number in Bauchi during a press conference to round off 2023 World Tuberculosis Day.

  Represented by Commissioner for Health in Bauchi State, Dr. Sabiu Gwalabe, at the news conference, Dr. Mohammed said the figure was an increase of 2,154 over 5,652 recorded in 2021.

  According to him, the 2022 figure, representing about a 53 per cent increase from the 2021 level was the highest recorded so far in the state.

  “Out of the 5,518 new cases that were placed on treatment in 2022, about 5,192; that is 94 per cent were successfully treated at the end of the year,” he said.

  It will be recalled that World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced yearly World Tuberculosis Day activities to raise awareness about TB and global efforts to end the scourge.