Last Updated: March 24, 2025
Can you believe it has been a year already? World TB Day magnifies the urgency of ending tuberculosis (TB), the world’s deadliest infectious disease. TB continues to leave a devastating impact on millions by causing severe health issues, social and economic repercussions. So, exactly what is TB? Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious airborne disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which most often affects the lungs. TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected.
This year’s theme is “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”. This theme offers an opportunity to reflect on ongoing efforts and encourage stronger commitment at local, national and international levels to end TB. This also includes battling the ongoing threat of drug-resistant TB. A stronger commitment is so paramount, especially as declining international funding for TB in the current geopolitical climate threatens the accomplishments of global targets to end TB by 2030.