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World Tuberculosis (TB) day takes place on 24 March each year.
Its purpose is to help raise public awareness and strengthen efforts to end the global TB pandemic. This date commemorates when German scientist Dr Robert Koch discovered the bacterium that causes TB in 1882.
TB is a preventable and curable infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis which may infect any part of the body, but most commonly the lungs. TB occurs throughout the world and remains one of the world’s deadliest infections. Over 95% of TB deaths occur in developing countries. Every day:
In addition, TB is a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance and is the leading cause of death in people living with HIV.
The global COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts across Europe, Africa and Middle East and inequalities in society have reversed years of progress made in the fight against TB, and for the first time in a decade the incidence of TB and associated deaths have increased.
The theme for World TB Day 2023 is 'Yes! We can end TB', chosen to inspire hope, encourage leadership, investment, innovation, action and collaboration to combat the TB epidemic.
See the TRAVAX Tuberculosis page for advice about the disease and vaccination.
Country specific TB recommendations can be found on the individual country pages.
