RKI warns against tuberculosis in Germany

Tuberculosis is also a serious illness in Germany

22/03/2011

Tuberculosis is one of the diseases that were considered almost defeated in Germany. But despite declining new cases remains tuberculosis in this country a serious illness, warns the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin.

Although the cases of tuberculosis have declined again in 2009, the trend has slowed significantly, said the expert of the RKI, Walter Haas on Monday in Berlin. Thousands of people still suffer from tuberculosis every year in Germany. According to the RKI, tuberculosis is particularly dangerous for children, as the disease is often very severe and can lead to permanent disability.

Tuberculosis is the world's deadliest infectious disease
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis is the world's most dangerous infectious disease and responsible for most deaths, accounting for some 9.4 million diseases and 1.8 million deaths annually. The bacterial infection is caused by various types of mycobacteria and most commonly affects the lungs in humans. According to WHO figures, tuberculosis is relatively widespread, especially in Asia and Africa. In Africa, tuberculosis is still a significant problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Tuberculosis is still a widespread disease in some Eastern European countries. The head of the National Reference Center for Mycobacteria, Sabine Rüsch-Gerdes, stated that „we with our German tuberculosis numbers“ compared to Eastern Europe „on an island of the blessed“ Life. Nevertheless, the 4,444 tuberculosis cases recorded by the RKI in 2009 (154 deaths) are a sign that the disease is still a serious health risk in Germany as well.

Tuberculosis diseases in Germany are declining
Compared to the previous year, the number of tuberculosis diseases has decreased by 68 cases, whereby the declining trend of recent years, although continued, but has slowed significantly, said the experts of the RKI. Overall, the number of tuberculosis diseases is significantly slower than before and the WHO guidelines for a halving of tuberculosis cases by 2015 are unlikely to be achieved in this country, the RKI warned. The RKI traditionally sees itself as having a special responsibility in the fight against tuberculosis, as the pathogen was discovered in 1882 by the institute's namesake, Robert Koch. Today, more than one third of pulmonary tuberculosis in Germany is caused by a particularly infectious agent, which makes treatment considerably more difficult and increases the risk of spreading again, warned the RKI.

Tuberculosis is extremely contagious
The lack of expertise of the medical profession in the treatment of tuberculosis, according to the experts of the RKI is also a problem. In particular „Family doctors today often lack the experience of this disease“, stressed the RKI expert, Walter Haas. The President of the RKI, Reinhard Burger, added that the decreasing experience in tuberculosis treatment increases the risk of a massive spread of the pathogen. He cited as an example a case from northern Germany in which a total of 37 people were infected with tuberculosis , Tuberculosis is usually transmitted by the so-called droplet infection from person to person, whereby infected persons expel the pathogens by coughing as aerosols (tiny droplets in the air) and these are taken up by their fellow humans. The pathogens can spend hours in the indoor air, so that there is an increased transmission risk, especially in many people in a confined space and poor hygiene. After appropriate diagnosis tuberculosis can usually be successfully controlled with the help of a month-long antibiotic treatment. However, the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant pathogens represents a growing problem, according to the experts of the RKI.

Increase in tuberculosis disorders in children
In the development of tuberculosis diseases in Germany, the experts of the RKI are particularly concerned about the growing prevalence of the particularly contagious form of tuberculosis and the increase in the area of ​​tuberculosis in children. Since 2008, the number of tuberculosis disorders in children has risen again and this trend continues in the preliminary figures for the year 2010, warned the RKI expert Walter Haas. To get the problem under control, the RKI calls for better control of the infectious disease and, among other things, more training for doctors. The population must also be better informed, stressed the RKI President Burger. For example, the World Tuberculosis Day on March 24th is well suited for this.

Symptoms of tuberculosis
A tuberculosis disease usually runs in several stages whereby the pathogens can sleep for years in the body of those affected before the disease breaks out. In general, different stages of tuberculosis can be distinguished, although the risk of infection from those affected can be very different. The symptoms often appear only after the actual infection and can lead to severe symptoms, for example, to significant impairment of the general condition, fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, coughing and dyspnoea. In addition, meningitis caused by tuberculosis is also possible, which can manifest itself as headache, stiff neck, impaired consciousness, seizures and fever and can result in death if left untreated. Anyone who has noticed symptoms or had contact with a tuberculosis infected person should urgently consult a doctor, not only to protect himself, but also to protect his fellow human from possible infection. (Fp)