TB cases reach new high

Data released by The Health Protection Agency show that there were 9,040 cases of tuberculosis in the UK last year, up from just over 8,600 in 2008. This was the highest number of cases for nearly 30 years

Two thirds were among people born outside the UK, mostly in Africa and the Indian sub-continent.

The majority of the rest of the cases are among homeless people, drug users and the prison population.

The HPA said it was important that local health managers put steps in place to diagnose and treat the condition in the places with the biggest problems.

Although it is treatable if diagnosed early enough, about 300 people a year die as a result of TB