Tuberculosis: The Leading Infectious Disease Killer

Tuberculosis (TB) is once again the world’s deadliest infectious disease, claiming 1.25 million lives in 2023, including 161,000 people with HIV, according to a Tuesday announcement from the World Health Organization (WHO). This airborne illness is a preventable and curable disease caused by bacteria that typically affects the lungs, but can impact other organs.

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious respiratory illness spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the air.

While approximately 25% of the global population has likely been infected with the bacteria, only 5% to 10% will ever develop symptoms and become sick, according to WHO. Only people with symptoms can spread the disease.

**