Antônio Carlos Lombardi Peixoto, a resident of the slums of Rio de Janeiro, was diagnosed with tuberculosis earlier this year after initially attributing his symptoms to his diabetes. The treatment for his tuberculosis was almost as challenging as the disease itself, with painful side effects and social isolation due to fear of contagion. Despite these difficulties, Mr. Peixoto persevered through six months of gruelling treatment and was able to return to his previous life. However, not everyone is as fortunate, as tuberculosis remains a deadly disease that was the deadliest pathogen in the world before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Before the emergence of Covid-19, tuberculosis was responsible for around 1.4 million deaths annually. The pandemic has exacerbated the situation, with the number of deaths from tuberculosis rising by 14% since 2019, according to the World Health Organisation’s Global tb Programme. The WHO predicts that this trend will continue to increase over the next five years, setting back progress against tuberculosis by many years. Tuberculosis is an ancient disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with around 1.8 billion people thought to be infected globally, but only a small percentage will develop symptoms.
Risk factors for developing tuberculosis include weakened immune systems, such as in diabetics, smokers, alcoholics, and HIV-positive individuals. Poverty and its associated factors, such as malnutrition and overcrowding, also increase the risk of contracting the disease. The majority of symptomatic cases are concentrated in just eight countries, including China, India, Indonesia, and Nigeria. The Covid-19 pandemic has had unintended consequences on efforts to combat tuberculosis, particularly in poorer countries with weaker health systems.
Lockdowns and other measures implemented to control the spread of Covid-19 have disrupted tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment programs, leading to increased mortality rates. The fear of contracting Covid-19 has also led to social stigma and isolation for tuberculosis patients, similar to Mr. Peixoto’s experience. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, efforts to combat tuberculosis must be prioritized to prevent further increases in mortality rates and setbacks in progress made against the disease. Public health measures, access to treatment, and community support are essential in addressing the dual challenges of tuberculosis and Covid-19 in order to save lives and prevent future outbreaks.
