Washington, 23 mar (EFE).-TB remains the second leading cause of death by infectious disease in the Americas (after HIV/AIDS), despite the important progress made in their control, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said today.
The organization points out that in the Americas, still some 270,000 people, of whom 44,000 are children, become infected with tuberculosis every year and nearly 23,000 die from this disease.
, However, stresses that these figures reflect “significant progress” in reducing cases in the past twenty years, as since 1990 have been reduced by 60 percent and deaths have been reduced by two-thirds.
On the occasion of World TB Day, which is celebrated on 24 March, the Director of PAHO, the regional Office of the World Health Organization (who), Mirta Roses, hoped that if the countries continue and intensify their efforts can be achieved eradicate the disease on the continent in 2050.
“It is my aspiration that a not-too-distant day, can all see an America free of tuberculosis”. “That goal only may be accomplished with the commitment of all”, said in his annual message on the anniversary that the German physician Robert Koch announced in 1882 which had discovered the Bacillus causing tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which spreads through the air and usually attack the lungs. Symptoms include cough more than two to three weeks of duration, weight loss, fever, sweats, lack of appetite and coughing up blood.
The majority of the cases in the Americas occur in Haiti, Guyana, Suriname, Bolivia and Peru (between 106 and 230 per 100,000 persons in 2010), while Brazil has the largest absolute number of cases (85,000 in 2010). For its part, Canada, Cuba and United States have lower rates with less than 10 per 100,000 people.
Roses warned that TB “can affect anyone, including children and young people, very especially to those belonging to social groups excluded and impoverished, which affects the development of their capabilities as human beings”.
Therefore appealed to Governments, civil society, communities and citizens involved to end the disease.
PAHO has launched the global campaign “Finish with tuberculosis in our generation” to continue with its “Alto a la Tuberculosis” strategy focused on diagnosis early, disease surveillance and appropriate combinations of antituberculous drugs.
Among the obstacles in the region for the Elimination of the disease the PAHO noted the spread of MDR TB that does not respond to drugs in common use.
Similarly, highlights the increase in the number of TB patients infected with HIV (about 35,000 cases in 2010) and the weaknesses of the system of health care in many countries, especially in primary care.
PAHO stressed that the disease is curable, but can be fatal if untreated. Treatment usually lasts for six months and has a cost of about $100 in many developing countries.
When Dr Robert Koch announced his discovery at the end of the 19th century, tuberculosis caused the death of one in seven people in Europe and America. Its discovery, stresses the Organization, it opened the way to diagnose and cure the disease.
On the occasion of World TB Day, which is celebrated on 24 March, the Director of PAHO, Mirta Roses, the who regional office hoped that if the countries continue and intensify their efforts can be achieved eradicate the disease on the continent in 2050. EFE/file
