Tuberculosis rates in England see further fall in 2014

There was a fall in the number of tuberculosis cases in England in 2014, according to a new government report.

Figures from the latest Public Health England TB in England report show that a total of 6,520 cases of the disease were notified in England in 2014 – a decrease on the 7,257 cases reported in 2013.

This is equivalent to an incidence rate of 12 cases per every 100,000 people in England, down from the peak of 15.6 per 100,000 in 2011. London accounted for the highest proportion of cases in England, with 2,572 instances in 2014, though this was also down from the year before.

The reductions are mainly due to a fall in the number of cases among the non-UK born population, who typically account for nearly three-quarters of all tuberculosis cases in England.

Professor Paul Cosford, director for health protection and medical director for Public Health England, said: "Tuberculosis remains one of the key priorities for Public Health England, and we are working with key partners to oversee the development of a stronger national approach to tuberculosis control."

This follows the launch of a comprehensive collaborative tuberculosis strategy earlier this year focused on supporting and strengthening local services, and implementing systematic testing and treatment of individuals who may have latent disease.