World TB Day 2010

March 24 is World TB Day.  As of March 2009, more than 9 million people develop active TB each year and 1.7 million die from the disease.

While most TB cases are in Asia, the highest rates of TB are in Africa, where high rates of HIV weaken immune systems and accelerate the spread of TB. (Gates Foundation)

One-third of the world’s population has been infected with the TB bacterium. Although most do not have symptoms and are not contagious, some develop “active” TB, which is contagious.

For more information, visit the Stop TB Partnership site.