Each year, we recognize World TB Day on March 24. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB). 

This year, the key message of World TB Day is that "It's Time to End TB":

• It’s time to test and treat Latent TB Infection (LTBI)
• It’s time to speak up
• It’s time to end stigma
• It’s time we strengthen TB education and awareness among health care providers
• It’s time to end TB

2019 Statistics

United States: 8,920 TB cases reported | 2.7 per 100,000 population

Ohio: 150 TB cases reported | 1.3 per 100,000 population

Additional United States notes:

• Incidence in the U.S. decreased by 1.6% compared to 2018
• 88 MDR-TB cases in U.S (2018)
• 1 XDR-TB cases in U.S. (2018)
• Trends:
  • Higher proportion affecting non-US born persons and minorities more
  • Proportion of cases w/ HIV coinfection continues to decrease
  • Drug-resistant case proportions remain stable