In 2023, France observed an increase in tuberculosis cases, interrupting a three-year downward trend. Public Health France reports 4,728 cases, suggesting a delayed diagnosis due to the pandemic. Although less frequent than before, with less than 10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, vaccination remains recommended. Transmitted by air, tuberculosis is a highly contagious bacterial infection most often affecting the lungs, but can spread to the brain.
The war in Ukraine influenced the epidemic, leading to active screening among Ukrainian refugees, among whom the prevalence is estimated at 197 per 100,000. However, less than 10% of the 118,000 refugees in France were tested in 2022, often due to the absence of symptoms and difficulties in accessing screening centers.
At the same time, cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis have increased, particularly with the arrival of patients from Ukraine and Georgia. Fortunately, treatments have evolved over the past decade thanks to new medications and innovative clinical trials.
 Sophie de Duiéry
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19/03/2024 | 
