Increase in reported tuberculosis cases in Saxony

The number of tuberculosis cases in Saxony increased again last year after a slight decline in 2023. As of March 1, the state investigation institute registered 161 cases, compared to 145 in the previous year. This corresponds to an increase of 11 percent.

However, the level is well below that of the years 2015 to 2018, which each saw over 200 cases. According to the Ministry of Health, seven cases of tuberculosis have been reported so far in the first two months of this year - most recently two cases were reported in a daycare center in Dresden.

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria and primarily affects the lungs. It is transmitted by inhaling tiny particles that people with infectious pulmonary tuberculosis release into the air when coughing, for example.

According to estimates by the World Health Organization, almost 11 million people worldwide contract the disease every year and well over one million die. Yet tuberculosis is preventable and curable. According to the Robert Koch Institute, between 4,000 and 4,500 cases of tuberculosis have been reported annually in Germany in recent years.

Infection through prolonged close contact with infected persons

Infection generally requires close contact with infected persons lasting several hours. According to the RKI, the risk of infection for healthy adults is 5 to 10 percent, while it is significantly higher for people with impaired immune defenses. If the infection is proven, medication can effectively prevent the development of tuberculosis.