LONDON TB RATES ROCKET 41% IN A DECADE WHILE IT DROPS IN EUROPE

8.40.09am GMT Wed 24th Mar 2004

Commenting on the British Thoracic Society figures revealing that England and Wales are the only countries in the European Union where cases of tuberculosis have increased in the past decade, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, Simon Hughes, revealed that cases in London have rocketed over 40% in the last decade.

The figures show that in London in 1992 there were 2,003 cases. By 2002 this had increased to 2,839 - an increase of 41.74%

Simon said:

"In the 1980's and 1990's Tuberculosis was almost eradicated as a first world disease, and almost obliterated from London and the UK. It is almost always the most vulnerable in society who contract TB and without a major effort by all agencies this will continue to blight our capital.

"For too long, the Government and this Mayor have ignored the spread of a disease throughout the capital that can be tackled with basic preventative measures such as improved housing and better information.

"Without a concerted effort by all services, from the Mayor, to Ministers to health, education and social services, London will start to revert to a bygone Victorian era when hygiene diseases were commonplace and untreatable."

ENDS

Notes to editor

The number of TB cases in London has increased from 2003 in 1987, to 2839 in 2002 an increase of 41.74%.

Taken from the table highlighted by the Department of Health 2 Mar 2004 : Column 866W

Borough figures are available on request