NUMBERS of people in the region diagnosed with TB are at their lowest level for nearly three decades, new figures show.

Data from Public Health England (PHE) reveals that last year, there were 345 notified tuberculosis cases in Yorkshire and Humberside.

The total is the lowest since 1990, when there were 544 instances of the disease – which usually affects the lungs, but can attack other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, bones and brain and potentially lead to serious complications.

Nationally, the incidence rate now stands at 9.2 cases per 100,000 population – the first time the figure has fallen below the ten per 100,000 rate that the World Health Organisation defines as a low incidence country.

PHE says it has been working with NHS England and other partner organisations to implement a strategy to tackle the disease, a move which in this region has included the setting-up of a ‘control board’.

The board has helped raise awareness of TB and implemented a successful programme to test for the disease in people arriving from countries where rates are high.

It’s also supporting the delivery locally of services to improve quality of care.

Dr Renu Bindra, consultant in communicable disease control at PHE Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “It is hugely encouraging to see a continued decline in TB in our region, which shows that the interventions we are putting in place are having an impact and will one day soon consign the disease to the history books.

“Whilst these new figures are positive, challenges do still exist and we are continuing to see rates of TB that are too high in some areas and amongst certain groups.

“In addition, the proportion of people who experience a delay between symptom onset and diagnosis remains stubbornly high.

“We are working collaboratively to ensure that patients are diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to minimise the chance of long-term ill health and onward transmission.”

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that causes a persistent cough, fever and weight loss.

Particularly at risk are the homeless, people living in poor-quality housing or those with alcohol and substance misuse issues.

The data indicates that nearly 13 per cent of people with TB have a ‘social risk factor’.

They are more prone to drug-resistant infections and are less likely to complete treatment, prolonging the infection and increasing the risk of passing it on.

PHE says that although the disease can be fatal if left untreated, it is curable for the vast majority with appropriate antibiotic treatment.