Fact Check: Is Rise In Tuberculosis Cases Linked With COVID-19?

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New Delhi: There have been reports of an increase in number of tuberculosis (TB) cases among patients recovering from COVID-19.

Logically, a link can’t be ruled out as both diseases are contagious and attack the lungs.

The Union Health ministry, though, stated on Saturday that there is not enough scientific evidence yet to link the two.

According to the Centre, notifications of TB cases in India went down by about 25 per cent due to the impact of ‘COVID-related restrictions’ in 2020.

“But special efforts are being made to mitigate this impact through intensified case finding in OPD settings as well as through active case finding campaigns in the community by all states,” the Health ministry said.

“TB bacilli can be present in humans in a dormant state and has the potential to start multiplying when the individual’s immunity is compromised for any reason. The same is applicable in post-Covid scenario, when an individual may develop decreased immunity due to the virus itself or due to the treatment, especially immune-suppressants like steroids,” the ministry contended.

The ministry said it had issued multiple advisories in August 2020 recommending that TB screening be done among COVID-19 patients.

“The dual morbidity of TB and Covid-19 can be further highlighted through the facts that both the diseases are known to be infectious and primarily attack the lungs, presenting similar symptoms of cough, fever and difficulty in breathing, although TB has a longer incubation period and a slower onset of disease,” the ministry said.