Europe continues to grapple with significant challenges in its fight against tuberculosis (TB), with a new report revealing that one in five cases across the region go undiagnosed or unreported. The joint surveillance report, ‘Tuberculosis Surveillance and Monitoring in Europe 2026,’ published by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), highlights persistent detection gaps and alarmingly high levels of drug-resistant TB.
The report underscores a critical intersection of issues: delayed diagnosis increases the risk of transmission and complicates treatment, while high rates of drug resistance – significantly exceeding global averages – further impede effective care. These intertwined challenges threaten progress toward regional and global TB elimination goals. While TB incidence in the WHO European Region has decreased by 39% since 2015 and TB-related deaths have fallen by 49%, the region is not on track to meet the End TB Strategy’s 2025 milestones of 50% and 75% reductions, respectively.
TB Detection Rates Remain a Concern
In 2024, 161,569 new and relapse TB cases were reported in 51 of the 53 countries within the WHO European Region, according to the report. Still, only 79% of the estimated total number of new and relapse cases were actually notified to authorities. This means approximately 20% of individuals with TB remain undetected, posing a risk to public health. The ECDC and WHO emphasize that closing this detection gap is crucial, not as a separate priority, but as an integral part of tackling drug resistance.
Similar trends are observed within the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA), where TB cases have decreased by 33% and deaths by 17%. However, the report indicates that most EU/EEA countries are unlikely to achieve their 2030 targets, potentially leading to thousands of preventable infections and deaths.
Drug Resistance: A Growing Threat
The report also flags the concerning prevalence of drug-resistant TB in the European Region. Rates are reportedly up to seven times higher than the global average, presenting a major obstacle to successful treatment outcomes. People diagnosed late with TB are more likely to transmit the disease and experience treatment failure, which is a primary driver of drug resistance.
The WHO and ECDC are calling for improved surveillance reporting, specifically focusing on HIV co-infection, TB cases within prisons, and treatment outcomes. Enhanced data collection and analysis are essential for evidence-based policymaking and accelerating progress toward TB elimination.
Looking Ahead
The findings from ‘Tuberculosis Surveillance and Monitoring in Europe 2026’ serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in controlling TB across the region. Continued investment in surveillance systems, coupled with targeted interventions to improve detection rates and address drug resistance, will be critical in the coming years. The report emphasizes the need for a coordinated, multi-faceted approach to ensure that the European Region gets back on track to meet its TB elimination goals.
What further steps will be taken by European health authorities to address these critical gaps in TB detection and treatment? Share your thoughts in the comments below and aid spread awareness about this important public health issue.
Disclaimer: This article provides informational content about public health and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
