TB Alert

Visual on a green background with a cell pattern. In the center, an illustration of stylized lungs surrounded by a dark blue circle. A yellow and orange magnifying glass shows rod-shaped bacteria inside the left lung. At the top of the circle, it reads “Let's talk about:”, and below, in large blue letters, “Tuberculosis.” At the bottom right, an arrow points to the right. At the bottom of the image, the hashtag #ScienceUpFirst.

In 2023, Tuberculosis overtook COVID-19 to once again become the world’s deadliest infectious disease. 🫁

Learn more about what TB is, how it spreads, and why health equity is the key to stopping it 👇

scienceupfirst.com/public-healt...

#ScienceUpFirst

Exciting news! All the content for our new website has gone to production. The countdown for our relaunch is officially on. Donate now to help us maintain this momentum and bring you even more TB information and resources: www.justgiving.com/charity/tbalert

Your story is powerful. Whether you're a person with lived experience, a healthcare professional or an advocate – your insight can bring TB the attention it deserves.

If TB has touched your life in any way, share your story now 🔗www.thetruthabouttb.org/talking-tb/stories/share-your-story

Your voice can change lives! Help shape TB Alert's future by taking our quick survey. Your input directly influences our new digital-first strategy to #EndTB #TB #tuberculosis. Take the survey: bit.ly/4lfUIh1

Screenshot of the cover of the linked report.

Important new @msfaccess.org report highlights how even EU countries lack appropriate access to #tuberculosis medicines💊.
"Bridging the gap: Securing access to essential #TB medicines in the EU and EEA"
msfaccess.org/bridging-gap...
(other high-income countries like Canada face similar challenges)

This is a worrying development when we know that smoking increases vulnerability to #TB #tuberculosis by stressing the immune system and also results in a poorer response to treatment.

TB Alert needs YOU! We were hard hit by the pandemic and continued difficult global funding environment. But we’re responding strongly with a digital-first relaunch. We need your input at this critical moment, to shape our future www.tbalert.org/about-us/a-new-chapter/ #YourVoiceMatters #EndTB

We are finding out more and what that BCG is truly an amazing vaccine - yet not so much for addressing the tricky TB bacteria it originally sought to address!

We do try!

The financial ground is shifting beneath global health - with critical TB programmes bearing the brunt. Services are disrupted, and ongoing drug trials face abrupt endings. This is a direct threat to lives and our ambition to #EndTB by 2035. Alternative donors are needed now - lives depend on it.

A huge thanks to Ruth Roberts for completing the Great Birmingham Run to raise over £200 for TB Alert! This is a fantastic effort, not least because Ruth has lasting effects to her knee from TB. Despite this, Ruth smiled through the pain and came out victorious - a testament to all who beat TB!

Congratulations to Sameer Sah, TB Alert's former Director of Overseas Programmes, on receiving the new British Humanitarian Medal from King Charles! This award recognises his vital role securing healthcare for those affected by the Gaza conflict, as Head of Programmes at Medical Aid to Palestinians.

📢 #EUTestingWeek! Did you know TB can hide in your body for years without making you ill?

🗣️ If you have links to a country with high rates of TB or work in an occupation that increases your risk ask about a latent TB test. Prevention is better than cure. #LatentTB #Tuberculosis #eutestingweek

This doesn't sound good!

This would be an absolute game changer!

Europe’s health at a crossroads: Stronger efforts needed to achieve 2030 targets HIV, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections are causing unnecessary suffering across Europe — it is time to take action.

🇪🇺 @ecdc.europa.eu sounds alarm on #PublicHealth

“Despite being preventable, every year, over 57 000 people in the EU die from #AIDS, #TB & #hepatitis — a high toll for a continent with available resources, knowledge and effective tools for prevention and control.”

www.politico.eu/sponsored-co...

We agree. TB affected communities say it loud and clear - Nothing about us without us!

Tuberculosis: a threat to health security in the European region and the collective actions needed The 2025 European tuberculosis surveillance report underscores the gravity of the situation in the WHO European region.1 Across 53 member states in Europe and Central Asia, more than 225 000 people ha...

Tuberculosis: a threat to health security in the European region and the collective actions needed - The Lancet
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

Tuberculosis could end if there’s more US public health funding, experts say Resurgence could be on horizon as outbreaks pick up speed in US and abroad amid public health program cuts

“We know how to live in a world without tuberculosis, and that means, ultimately, that we’re choosing to live in a world with tuberculosis,” @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social said. “But all of y’all are making a different choice. And that is my great encouragement.”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

📈 #TB in England and #Poverty: “the canary in the coal mine for other health issues related to social deprivation – everything from other infectious diseases to chronic conditions like diabetes.”

💔

Devastating that this should be necessary - an important tool to bear witness to lives lost.

Shunned and shamed, Pakistan’s trans community finally gets help for TB Often forced into sex work, trans people are at higher risk of tuberculosis but face abuse when they seek treatment. Now screening and outreach work are helping tackle the disease

TB is concentrated among already marginalised populations, compounding the challenges they face: #TransDayOfVisibility #TDOV www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

#TB cases are rising. Are you familiar with the signs and symptoms? A persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss could be TB. Early diagnosis is key. Learn more at www.thetruthabouttb.org #ThinkTB #Tuberculosis

#Tuberculosis #TB can affect anyone, but some are at higher risk. This includes healthcare workers. Ensure you're up to date with TB screening and consider the BCG vaccine. #TBprevention #HealthcareWorkersTB

Calling all doctors - #ThinkTB! Symptoms can mimic other respiratory illnesses. If a patient presents with a cough lasting over 3 weeks, consider TB. Prompt testing and treatment are essential. #TBdiagnosis #PublicHealth #PatientCare

Short treatment regimens for LTBI would be very welcome to make it easier on individuals at risk of reactivation of latent TB. We are also excited for new technologies to identify those most at risk from reactivation - hopefully reducing the need for LTBI treatment entirely.

Every breath matters, every life counts! 🫁✨ Tuberculosis is preventable, treatable, and curable—yet millions continue to suffer. It’s time to invest in awareness, education, and action. Together, we can break the cycle and build a TB-free future!

#TB cases jumped 13% in England from 2023 to 2024. Think TB! A cough that lasts more than 3 weeksmay not be a lingering cold. It could be tuberculosis. Other symptoms include fever, night sweats, weight loss, and tiredness. Learn more at www.thetruthabouttb.org #ThinkTB #Tuberculosis

Priority pathogens: UK draws up new disease-threat watch list Some are viruses with global pandemic potential - like Covid - others infectious illnesses with no treatments.

Great to see the UK Government taking future infectious disease threats, including antimicrobial resistance, seriously. Let's not overlook though that TB is currently the biggest infectious disease threat globally with drug-resistance already a growing threat; www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...