EXTENT OF PROBLEM

Globally

• One-third of the world's population is infected with TB but does not have the disease (i.e. the disease is latent).
  
• There are about 15 - 20 million infectious (sputum-positive) cases of TB in the world.
  

• WHO estimates that between the years 2002- 2020 approximately:  

  • 1000 million people will be newly infected with TB
  • 150 million people will fall ill due to the infection
  • 36 million will die of TB

   

In India

• The population infected with TB is estimated to be around 300 - 350 million (33%)
  
• Number of active TB cases - about 12 to 15 million
  
• Number of sputum positive (infectious) cases- 3 to 3.5 million
  
• Number of deaths due to TB- about 0.5 million / year
  
• Death count for each day in India due to TB- about one death per minute