Tuberculosis and COVID-19: What to do?

Tuberculosis (TB) is the deadliest infectious disease in most low- and middle-income countries, claiming more than 4,000 lives each day. The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted people with pre-existing health conditions. People with TB are usually more vulnerable to other infections, including the novel coronavirus, due to pre-existing lung damage. They are also at higher risk of developing complications from COVID-19.

TB and COVID-19 interactive maps
One year on, new data show that the global impact of COVID-19 on the TB epidemic has been worse than expected.

Press Briefing on 28 September 2021

Press Briefing on 28 September 2021: Press Release
Summary: 
New data shows COVID-19 combined with funding shortfalls are devastating efforts to end Tuberculosis (TB) by 2030
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Press Briefing on 28 September 2021: Media Brief
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Press Briefing on 28 September 2021: Social Media Toolkit
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Press Briefing on 18 March 2021

Press Briefing on 18 March 2021: Press Release
Summary: 
One year on, new data shows the global impact of COVID-19 on TB epidemic is worse than expected
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Press Briefing on 18 March 2021: Media Brief
Summary: 
One year on, new data shows the global impact of COVID-19 on TB epidemic is worse than expected
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As the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to almost all corners of the world, the Stop TB Partnership has released the results of the latest modeling study which demonstrates the impact the virus will have on the world’s leading infectious disease killer globally—tuberculosis (TB). The new study was commissioned by the Stop TB Partnership in collaboration with the Imperial College, Avenir Health and Johns Hopkins University, and it was supported by USAID.

Modelling Study

Modelling Study: Global impact of COVID-19 on TB Treatment and Care
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L'IMPACT POTENTIEL DE LA RIPOSTE CONTRE LE COVID19 SUR LA TUBERCULOSE DANS LES PAYS FORTEMENT TOUCHÉS PAR LA MALADIE : UNE ANALYSE DE MODÉLISATION
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O POTENCIAL IMPACTO DA RESPOSTA À COVID-19 NA TUBERCULOSE NOS PAÍSES COM ÍNDICES ELEVADOS DA DOENÇA: UMA ANÁLISE DE MODELAÇÃO
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ПОТЕНЦИАЛЬНОЕ ВОЗДЕЙСТВИЕ ОТВЕТНЫХ МЕР COVID-19 НА ТУБЕРКУЛЕЗ В СТРАНАХ С ВЫСОКИМБРЕМЕНЕМ: МОДЕЛИРУЮЩИЙ АНАЛИЗ
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EL IMPACTO POTENCIAL DE LA RESPUESTA DEL COVID19 SOBRE LA TUBERCULOSIS EN PAÍSES ALTAMENTE AFECTADOS: UN ANÁLISIS DE MODELACION
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Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020

Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020: Key Messages: English
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Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020: Key Messages: French
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Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020: Key Messages: Portuguese
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Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020 Key Messages: Russian
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Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020 Key Messages: Spanish
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Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020 Press Release: English
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Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020 Press Release: French
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Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020 Press Release: Portuguese
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Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020 Press Release: Russian
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Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020 Press Release: Spanish
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Modeling Study Press Briefing on 5 May 2020 Communications Materials: Social media toolkit
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Infographics

TB & COVID-19 DEATHS IN GLOBAL FUND ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES
TB & COVID-19 DEATHS IN GLOBAL FUND ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES
TB & COVID-19 DEATHS IN GLOBAL FUND ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES WHO AFR REGION
TB & COVID-19 DEATHS IN GLOBAL FUND ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES WHO AFR REGION

Infographics

TB & COVID-19 DEATHS IN GLOBAL FUND ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES
TB & COVID-19 DEATHS IN GLOBAL FUND ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES WHO AFR REGION

Measures to be taken by people with TB to reduce their risk for COVID-19:

  • Social distancing with "reverse-quarantine": Remain at home and avoid contact with people as much as possible.
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
  • Don’t touch face, nose, eyes with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with those who are unwell.
  • Strictly adhere to your TB treatment.
  • Avoid hospital visits as much as possible and keep in touch with your doctor/nurse/health facility by phone.
  • Use masks, and take extra caution to maintain hygiene such as - disinfection of hands, used surfaces, proper disposal of used tissues, etc.

TB Programmes need to:

  • Ensure proper communication is maintained with people affected by TB and all stakeholders using virtual means of communication.
  • Secure multiple months of TB medicines are made available at the homes of people on TB treatment
  • Use appropriate digital adherence/support tools according to the local context.
  • Ensure people with TB receive necessary psycho-social, nutritional, economic support.
  • Ensure TB care providers are well briefed and use essential personal protection equipment.
  • Switch to treatment for drug-resistant TB which is injection free. Ensure systems are in place for remotely monitoring of side effects and minimizing hospital visits.
  • Maintain uninterrupted TB drugs supply by planning early procurement and careful planning of local distribution and transportation in lock down situations.

National and sub-national governments to support special vulnerable population groups:

Certain populations are at greater risk of TB, because of where they live, where they work or because of other socio-economic factors which result in them experiencing barriers to accessing health services. Despite the emergency nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, health approaches, as well as social policies, should consider rights and gender equity.

  • Care must be taken to ensure that all people, but particularly those who are most vulnerable, receive access to TB and COVID-19 services and that no groups are left behind.
     
    • This should extend to social, legal and economic protections to maintain good mental health and to act against stigma and discrimination.

Special attention is required for health care workers. They are the frontline against TB and COVID-19. They must be protected and supported to ensure they can undertake their job safely and effectively.

Note: the above points have been compiled to provide immediate help to people affected by TB and TB programmes, recognizing that we are faced with an unprecedented situation. This is not exhaustive and may change and evolve as more evidence and experiences are gathered.

 

Bidirectional Screening and Testing for TB/ COVID-19:

Tuberculosis and COVID-19 are infectious diseases which primarily attack the lungs. They present with similar symptoms of cough, fever and difficulty in breathing, although TB disease has a longer incubation period and a slower onset of disease. In order to address this dual morbidity of Tuberculosis and COVID-19, Government of India has recently released these guidelines.

How TB Programmes can change to a virtual mode due to the COVID-19 situation

IMPORTANT
One minute online survey to let us know if you or anyone in your community is experiencing difficulties accessing TB services.

COVID-19 and TB

Dashboards and Data (updated regularly)

COVID-19

As of 25 March 2020, 196 countries were affected with over 416,000 cases and 18,589 deaths.

TB