WHO to Issue New Data on Global Tuberculosis Epidemic

Tuberculosis is one of the world's leading infectious killers, second only to HIV/AIDS. The 2007 WHO Global TB Control Report, to be issued on Thursday, March 22, updates the current trends on the airborne disease, with all the very latest data from nearly 200 countries.

In the wake of the newly identified extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), drug resistance and continuing challenges such as TB and HIV co-infection, the 2007 WHO Global TB Control Report underlines the major issues affecting TB patients, health workers and governments today. This year's report also highlights achievements in reaching global 2005 TB targets set by the World Health Assembly.

The launch coincides with World TB Day (celebrated on March 24) and its theme, "TB Anywhere is TB Everywhere."

Source: World Health Organization