World Health Organization Warns of Possible Surge in Tuberculosis Cases Because of USAID Cuts

The World Health Organisation has issued a warning that a looming consequence of the Trump administration's aid freezing could risk a global surge in tuberculosis deaths and cases. According to the health organisation, the sweeping funding cuts could endanger millions of lives, since many countries depend on foreign aid for TB prevention, testing, and treatment.

“Without immediate action, hard-won progress in the fight against TB is at risk,” Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, director of the WHO’s Global Programme on TB and Lung Health, said.

Across the world, tuberculosis—a contagious bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs and spreads through the air—is responsible for the most deaths of any infectious disease. Around 1.25 million people died from the infection in 2024, and around 8.2 million people were diagnosed, WHO said.

Until recently, USAID had provided around a quarter of the international donor funding for TB services in other countries, around $250 million annually, with the agency operating tuberculosis programs in 24 countries.

The WHO said that because of the US cuts, drug supply chains in other countries are “breaking down,” laboratory services are “severely disrupted,” and surveillance systems are “collapsing,” making it difficult to identify, monitor, and treat tuberculosis cases.

Some important research trials have been halted, as well.

According to experts, the highest burden of the disease is now in Africa, with most countries set to bear devastating impacts. In Uganda, experts say the rollback of USAID funding has made it hard to pay community health workers, who play an extremely crucial role in notifying those who test positive for tuberculosis, getting them treatment, and screening their close contacts for infection.

Data says since January this year, the discontinuation of USAID funding has led to an estimated 3,400 additional tuberculosis deaths and 6,000 additional infections.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TB cases are also rising across the US. As there were nearly 10,000 cases in 2020, there has been an almost 16 per cent rise since 2019. Also, a persistent outbreak in Kansas led to 68 active cases since January 2024.

A resurgence of tuberculosis in the US from 1985 to 1992 was attributed, in part, to a decline in TB control programmes and rising global cases.

TB most commonly affects your lungs, but it can also affect other areas of your body like your spine, brain, or kidneys. Not everyone who is infected with TB gets sick, but if you are infected but have no symptoms, it is known as inactive tuberculosis, or latent TB.

TB is dormant or sleeping inside your body. As many as 13 million people in the US have latent TB, with some having a latent TB infection for a lifetime, without ever developing active symptoms. However, TB can become active if your immune system weakens, which is not able to stop the bacteria from growing.

A few active symptoms of TB include:

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