In 2021, the number of cases of tuberculosis decreased by 7% in France compared to 2020, according to the annual report published by Santé Publique France.
- Around 9.9 million new cases of tuberculosis were identified worldwide in 2020.
- Tuberculosis kills around 1.4 million people a year worldwide.
Tuberculosis has further lost ground in 2021. According to the annual data published by Santé Publique France on February 2, the number of reported cases was down 7% compared to 2020. However, the organization notes that this drop is linked to the Covid-19 pandemic (-10% in 2020).
Tuberculosis: 38% of cases are in Île-de-France
There were 4,306 cases of tuberculosis in 2021 compared to 4,606 a year earlier. This represents 6.4 patients per 100,000 inhabitants. “This incidence has decreased significantly over the past two years, in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic, while it has been declining steadily but weakly for decades, on average by -1.7% per year over the last few years. last 30 years”explains the report.
Public Health France also notes territorial disparities. However, they are comparable to those observed in previous years. Thus, there is no change in the podium of the most affected regions.
- Mayotte (12.0 cases per 100,000 inhabitants);
- Ile-de-France (13.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants): the region accounts for 38% of cases. Seine-Saint Denis is the department most affected by tuberculosis (24.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants);
- Guyana (25.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).
Tuberculosis: those most affected
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacillus (mycobacteria of the tuberculosis complex) which most often attacks the lungs. However, it can also affect other organs, although this is rarer.
The patient can transmit the virus by dispersion of droplets of bronchial secretions, particularly when coughing. The Public Health France report highlights 3 categories of population particularly affected by the pathology:
- homeless people (68 cases per 100,000 inhabitants);
- prisoners (44 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).
- individuals born outside France (32 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).
For Santé Publique France, the rapid identification of cases of tuberculosis (use of the healthcare network, targeted screening), the treatment of latent tuberculosis infections and BCG vaccination (Bacille Calmette and Guérin) are the main tools in the fight against tuberculosis. disease.