Each year, World Tuberculosis Day is observed on 24 March. The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease.

The theme of World TB Day 2025 is ‘Unite to End Tuberculosis’. It aims to raise awareness about the Tuberculosis epidemic, emphasising prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment while advocating for universal access to quality healthcare.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis or ‘TB’ is a disease caused by a bacterium (germ) called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB usually affects the lungs but it can also affect other parts of the body, including the glands, the bones and rarely, the brain.

Tuberculosis used to be more common in Ireland. There were nearly 7,000 cases a year in the early 1950s. The incidence of TB has declined steadily since then, with 2023 data showing there were just over 200 cases notified for that year, with incidence higher in males and the highest incidence rate was in those aged 25 – 34 years old.

“Latent TB is now known as ‘TB infection,’ while Active TB is referred to as ‘TB disease.”

 

New National TB Guidelines for Ireland

The New National Tuberculosis (TB) Guidelines for Ireland are currently being developed by an expert Guideline Development Group in collaboration with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) Research and Guideline Development Unit (RGDU). These guidelines are available to access via the HPSC website at hspc.ie > A – Z > Vaccine Preventable Diseases > Tuberculosis (TB).

As part of the update for this Guidance, some of the terminology for TB is changing in these new National Guidelines. In the latest chapters, Latent TB is now known as ‘TB infection,’ while Active TB is referred to as ‘TB disease.’ These and any other changes to terminology within the chapters are in line with updated guidelines published by the World Health Organisation (WHO.)

To access the most up-to-date access ‘TB Guidance’ at the link listed above.