March 24 is World Tuberculosis (TB) Day!
Every year, March 24th marks World Tuberculosis Day, an annual campaign led by the World Health Organization to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB), as well as highlight the worldwide commitment to eliminate tuberculosis by ensuring equitable access to prevention, treatment and care for this disease.
The theme for 2024 is: YES! We Can End TB!
Join us on World TB Day as the Convention Centre, Esplanade Bridge, and the Winnipeg sign at the Forks will be lit in red to recognize the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium causing TB (which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease) and acknowledge the individuals and communities affected by this devastating disease.
TB continues to affect millions of people worldwide. In 2022, 1.3 million people died from TB disease and 10.6 million people fell ill from the disease. Globally it has been the top cause of death due to a single infectious agent every year until it was surpassed by COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. In 2023 Manitoba reported 176 individuals newly diagnosed with TB. Although Canada is a low-incidence country, TB disease is inequitably distributed with newcomer and Indigenous communities continuing to experience a TB burden considerably higher than the overall population.
TB is preventable, treatable, and curable. Early identification and diagnosis are best for positive outcomes for those affected by TB. Once diagnosed and receiving treatment, good health care and social supports throughout the treatment period are key to ensuring patients complete treatment successfully.
Learn more:
- For general clinical information see the WRHA Tuberculosis for Health Care Providers page click here
- Further information on 2024 World TB Day can be found at: Resources — Stop TB Canada, Stop TB Partnership and World TB Day 2024 (who.int)
- To see the most recent WHO Global Report on TB (2023) click here and infographic
- Chief Public Health Officer spotlight on eliminating tuberculosis in Canada click here
- For an infographic about Tuberculosis in First Nations in Canada click here
- Read more about the impacts of the pandemic on TB services in Canada in this report by Stop TB Canada click here
Please join us in recognizing and raising awareness on March 24th, that YES! TB Still Exists! and YES! We Can End TB!