PANDEMIC ADVERSE EVENTS: UNDERDIAGNOSIS OF OTHER DISEASES, THE CASE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN AMERICA

On March 24 of this year, the World Health Organization along with the Pan American Health Organization issued an alert regarding the diagnosis of tuberculosis in the American continent; due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, a decrease of approximately 20% has been observed in the diagnosis of the disease, no information is yet available on the effect on tuberculosis-associated mortality.

Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs. It is and airborne disease transmitted from person to person. These bacteria are released when a person with TB in lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, talks, or sings. In 2019, approximately 290,000 new cases and 22,900 deaths were reported in America. Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, and Haiti account for 70% of the reported cases.

Therefore, it is imperative to address this problem in line with the strategy of reducing deaths by tuberculosis, up to 95% by 2035.

Source: https://www.paho.org/en/news/24-3-2021-diagnosis-new-tbcases-americas-reduced-15-20-during-2020-due-pandemic

Written by Dr. Carmen de la Rocha D. in Plant Biotechnology, CINVESTAV-Irapuato - Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering, ITC - Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science, IBERO, León - Supervisor of the Department of Development CidVID - Professor of Subject B, CUCS UdeG Member of the National System of Researchers, level I.