USAID Cuts Could Put The World In Danger For A Global TB Outbreak

The United States have been at the upheaval of many health crisis, along with many changes within the health department, one of them being the USAID cuts. Amid all this the health authorities are calling attention to a consequence of this very step that could lead to a global surge in tuberculosis cases and death. This is in reference to the Trump administration's call of USAID cuts, which had provided about a quarter of the international funding for tuberculosis services in other countries. This had amounted to $250 million annually, noted the World Health Organization (WHO). The agency operated tuberculosis programs in 24 countries.

Dr Tereza Kasaeva, director of the WHO's Global Programme on TB and Lung Health said, "Without immediate action, hard-won progress in the fight against TB is at risk."

Tuberculosis and the US

Globally, tuberculosis is responsible for the most deaths of any infectious disease. As per WHO data, around 1.25 million people died from the bacterial infection in 2023. It was also the same year when new cases hit at an all time high, around 8.2 million people being diagnosed with TB.

How does US influence the fight against tuberculosis in the world? As per WHO, US funding cuts could affect the drug supply chains in other countries, which are now "breaking down". Not just limited to that, but laboratory services are "severely disrupted" and surveillance systems are "collapsing", which is making it difficult to identify, monitor and treat tuberculosis cases. Some research trials are also affected, since they have been put on a halt.

The highest burden of disease is faced by many countries, the number as of now remains 18, where national tuberculosis programs are also affected. The most vulnerable countries are in Africa.

In Uganda, the rollback of USAID funding has made it difficult for community health workers to pay. These workers play an important role in notifying people who test positive for tuberculosis and get them treated and screened for close contacts for infection. Most patients get a TB diagnosis after they leave the clinic because they wait for the results. They could be at hoe with TB, without knowing that they have TB. This is where these workers come to play who reach out to them with the adequate resources.

Ever since the discontinuation of USAID happened, it has led to 3,600 additional TB deaths and 6,400 additional infections. The model that is affected the most is STOP TB Partnership, which is a United Nations organization that aims to eliminate tuberculosis as a public health problem.

This increase in number could also affect the US as it would mean that more and more people from vulnerable countries are travelling to the US. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of tuberculosis cases have already been on high in the US. In 2023, the US recorded more than 9,600 cases of TB, which was a 16% increase from 2022, and a 9% increase over 2019.

At this moment itself Kansas is dealing with an outbreak, with 68 active cases as of now since January.