Tuberculosis, the world’s oldest and deadliest pandemic, has been plaguing us for well over 4,000 years, with a relative of TB bacteria detected since the dinosaur age, and an ancestor having infected our early human ancestors. Indeed, the pathogen seems like ancient history — but as recent developments indicate, tuberculosis isn’t done with us yet.
As it happens, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis, is second only to SARS-CoV-2 as the leading cause of death by infection right now. And it’s on the rise, according to the World Health Organization’s 2024 country report for the United States. In 2023, the most recent year for which they have data, there were an estimated 11,000 cases and 626 deaths. The U.S. resurgence reflects a global trend that has seen an estimated 10.8 million people become ill worldwide with TB in 2023.
