Asymptomatic cases influence TB incidence drop in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, there has been a decline in tuberculosis (TB) cases, which may be linked to undiagnosed asymptomatic cases, according to Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO chief scientist. She spoke at an event for World TB Day, highlighting the changing nature of the disease. Health officials reported a drop in positive TB cases from 95,296 in 2023 to 93,301 in 2024, despite an increase in testing. Testing rates rose significantly, showing a commitment to combat TB, with Tamil Nadu aiming for elimination of the disease. Dr. Swaminathan emphasized that while more testing is essential, eliminating TB is challenging due to the lack of a vaccine. Instead, she urged focus on early diagnosis and treatment to reduce deaths from TB. New AI tools for early detection of TB are in development and may transform diagnosis in the coming years.