World Tuberculosis (TB) Day

World TB Day is observed every year on March 24. Learn how CDC is working for a TB free world.
World TB Day commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB. This year’s World TB Day theme “It’s Time” highlights the importance of a renewed commitment to TB elimination and the timely need to expand testing and treatment of latent TB infection.
Despite being preventable and curable, TB is now the world’s leading infectious disease killer. TB affects millions around the world and here in the United States; in every state; in rural areas and cities; in schools, workplaces, homes; and in many other places where people are in close contact. Drug-resistance continues to threaten our ability to treat and control TB disease. Better diagnostics, shorter treatment regimens, and strong partnerships both domestic and global, are needed to accelerate the path to elimination. Learn what CDC is doing in the United States and around the world to eliminate this devastating disease.

CDC is working to expand latent TB infection testing and treatment in the United States
The United States has made great progress towards the goal of TB elimination. In 2018, a provisional total of 9,029 cases of TB disease were reported in the United States – the lowest number on record. The decline in TB case counts in the United States are a credit to the work of local TB control programs in finding and treating people with TB disease to stop the cycle of transmission. However, too many people still suffer from TB in the United States, requiring continued efforts to control TB disease, and expand testing and treatment of latent TB infection to prevent the development of TB disease.
Up to 13 million people in the United States have latent TB infection. People with latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have symptoms, and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. Without treatment, however, they are at risk for developing TB disease at some point in their lives. CDC recommends that people at risk for latent TB infection should be tested and treated to prevent the development of TB disease.
- CDC in partnership with state and local TB control programs, clinicians, and researchers across the United States, is working to turn TB elimination into reality. Some of the current activities include:
- Providing funding and technical assistance to state and local TB control programs.
- Researching better diagnostic tools, shorter treatment regimens, and more efficient treatment delivery methods.
- Conducting TB surveillance and monitoring progress towards TB elimination.
- Supporting professional development and capacity building through the TB Centers of Excellence for Training, Education, and Medical Consultation.
- Using new technologies to identify new drug-resistant TB strains as they emerge.
Clinicians, health care agencies, and community organizations, especially those serving at-risk populations, have a critical role in TB elimination. Many of those at high risk for latent TB infection do not traditionally receive care in health departments — but are seen by private community providers and community health centers. Engaging these partners is critical to future success.

CDC is working to transform the fight to End TB around the globe
The global community has made tremendous progress, investing in TB tools and interventions around the world that have saved more than 50 million lives from 2000 to 2016. Despite this progress, in 2017 alone, TB claimed 1.6 million lives out of the 10 million people who became ill with this preventable and curable disease. In addition, 1.7 billion people Cdc-pdf
Today, we stand at a critical juncture in the fight to end TB worldwide. In September 2018, heads of state and health leaders from across the globe gathered in New York City for the first-ever United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TBExternal
At CDC, we are helping to end the global TB epidemic Cdc-pdf
With the momentum built by the UNHLM on TB, the theme for this year’s World TB Day “It’s TIME” underscores the urgency to accelerate the fight against TB.
Until TB is eliminated, World TB Day will not be a celebration. However, it is a valuable opportunity to educate the public about the devastation of TB disease and how we can work together to prevent it.
It’s Time to end TB in the United States and around the world.
- CDC World TB Day Website
- Global HIV and TB Resources
- Stop TB Partnership World TB Day WebsiteExternal
- State TB Control Offices
- TB Centers of Excellence for Training, Education, and Medical Consultation
- Stop TB USAExternal
- World Health Organization – World TB Day External
- Professional Resources & Tools
- Tuberculosis — United States, 2018
- Global Epidemiology of Tuberculosis and Progress Toward Achieving Global Targets — 2017