Queensland records 30 per cent increase in tuberculosis cases this year

There have been 30 per cent more cases of this deadly disease in the first five months of 2024 than in the whole of 2023, with Queensland Health pinning the spike on an increase in migrant numbers.

Cases of tuberculosis are on the rise in Queensland.

Cases of tuberculosis are on the rise in Queensland, with 30 per cent more cases so far this year than all of 2023.

And the state government says the increase is due to migrants arriving from countries with high TB rates.

While migrants are screened for TB before arrival, the disease can remain dormant and reactivate months or even years later.

India, China, Indonesia, Philippines are among areas that have high numbers of cases.

Australia has come close to eradicating TB through the highly effective Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine.

The jab was given routinely until the 1980s and was eventually stopped when low case rates made it unnecessary.

“We have really done so well with TB over the years with extensive screening and X-rays, but we are seeing the disease come into the state through refugees or migrants,” infectious diseases expert Paul Griffin said.

“We know it is an endemic disease in other countries.”

The jab is still available for young children travelling overseas to areas with high TB rates, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in TB-risk areas.

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that attacks the lungs and can be slow to progress. It can be weeks or months before symptoms show. They include a persistent cough, a cough that lasts more than two to three weeks, night sweats, fevers, fatigue, chest pains and swollen neck glands.

Queensland Health reports 132 TB notifications were recorded in Queensland in 2022 – the lowest since 2008.

In 2023, there were 189 TB notifications. In 2024, year-to-date notifications have exceeded last year’s notifications by almost one-third.