U.S. can be a leader in eradicating TB

Each year, we recognize World TB Day on March 24. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB).Many believe TB is a disease of the past, but that is not the case. Although TB is an ancient disease, it continues to cause significant illness and deaths throughout the world. In fact, TB kills more people globally than HIV and Malaria combined and has now surpassed COVID-19 as the leading infectious disease killer. Recent years have seen the first increase of TB sickness and deaths in decades, with almost 11 million sickened and 1.6 million killed.TB mortality is disproportionately concentrated in the youngest of children, with 80% of child TB deaths occurring in those younger than 5 years. In an official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (PREP) a 2019 article reported that 96% of the deaths in children occur in those not receiving treatment. In fact, the mortality rate for children receiving appropriate therapy is less than 1%.Dr. Atul Gawande is the Senior Leader for Global Health within USAID -- the lead government agency in the battle against TB. He stated there is critical pending legislation with the "End TB Now" Act, which holds USAID and the U.S. government accountable for turning the situation around.We urge Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray to support this life saving bill.

Mike and Leslie Boyer, Bremerton

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: U.S. can be a leader in eradicating TB