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Tuberculosis cases still rising in London, warn health chiefs
Anna Davis, Education Correspondent25 Jun 2009
Health bosses today admitted they are failing to stem the spread of tuberculosis.
In some areas of the capital, as many as one in 1,000 people has the disease, the London Assembly heard.
New figures show 45 in every 100,000 people across London are sufferers and numbers are increasing. In 2007 the rate was 43 in every 100,000.
Dr Simon Tanner, London's director of public health, said: "This is not something we want to see happening. This is a disease that should not be around in the 21st century."
Dr Tanner told the Assembly's health and public services committee that a new drug-resistant strain was developing. But he insisted the NHS had an "action plan" to deal with the problem.
He added: "There is a very mixed picture across the capital. In some areas the rate is as high as 100, which means one in every 1,000 people will have TB." North London has higher rates of the disease than south, the official said.
The London Assembly heard that 80 per cent of people suffering from TB were born outside London and most of the sufferers are young men.
The drug-resistant form was developing among homeless people.
The TB problem comes as NHS London bosses are dealing with the outbreak of swine flu. London has the second highest rate of the virus in the country.
Some 153 more people were diagnosed yesterday, bringing the total in the capital to 681. There are 3,254 confirmed cases in the UK.
Dr Tanner said: "In London there is now sustained community transmission of swine flu."
He said GPs in London and the West Midlands - the two worst affected places - are now allowed to diagnose and treat patients without contacting the Health Protection Agency.
He added: "These figures have concentrated people's minds and a decision was made that these two areas would be treated in a different way."
Reader views (8)
Hmmm,I wonder why,in London of all places?You only need to look about for the evidence.
- Steve, London, 26/06/2009 10:34
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Oh how "enriching"!
- Derrick, A Once Great Land, 25/06/2009 21:42
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We shall be looking back at the nuLabour years, as a remarkable period of incompetent governance, having destroyed the unity of a successful and stable Country and giving us in its place war, unparalleled criminality,poverty, and ever rising unemployment and now as a final act destruction they have allowed the diseases we had once eradicated to become re-established.
- Frank, Dorchester Dorset, 25/06/2009 17:27
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I sometimes wonder why the "authorities" fail to tell us the birth place of the TB sufferers as it does of course affect the spread of TB.There are a number of "Hotspots" around the country in, Luton they are very reluctant to divulge the fact that the vast majority of sufferers were not born in the UK.
- Mike M, Bedford England, 25/06/2009 14:02
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With foreigners at 32% in London, I am not surprised.
"80% of people suffering from TB were born outside London"
You mean outside of this country, but you are too PC to say it.
Let the 3rd world into the capital and you get a 3rd world capital.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 25/06/2009 11:35
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The problem could be solved by giving health checks on all immigrants, whether from third world countries or not.
Some years ago, I found out that leprosy was here again, brought in by immigrants - who were kept in an isolation hospital. What disease will be brought in next?
- Jonathan Montmorency, cooden, uk, 25/06/2009 10:59
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Ab - you're sure to get some back's up with that comment..... but unfortunately it is completely true. TB was completely eradicated in this country so there's no denying that since the flood gates opened, this country has gone to the dogs in so many ways. Spitting has become common place, manners have been lost and it seems everything positive this country stands for, is either being whitewashed or bred out by today’s gormless society.
- Jc, London, 25/06/2009 10:21
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Uncontrolled borders and illegal immigration not only imports people, but unfortunately in some cases disease. Aids is also increasing in the heterosexual population for the same reasons. And what is the Government doing to protect the resident population - nothing!
- Ab, London, 25/06/2009 08:13
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