Deadly Victorian superbug explained as worrying number of cases continue to rise in UK

The number of cases of a potentially deadly Victorian superbug are on the rise in the UK, as healthcare providers urge people to look out for symptoms.

Cases of tuberculosis (TB) increased by nearly 14 percent from 2023 to 2024 in England and have increased by a further 3.9 percent in the first half of this year, with officials recording 5,490 cases last year alone, according to the UK Health and Security Agency.

TB is a bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, which is usually spread by coughing and sneezing. While TB usually affects the lungs, it can impact many other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bones and brain, which can lead to meningitis.

The condition is strongly associated with the Victorian era as it reached epidemic levels, accounting for nearly a quarter of all deaths in Europe during the 1800s. Nowadays, however, TB can be treated with a long course of antibiotics lasting six months.

TB cases are on the rise in England (Getty Stock Images)

Symptoms of tuberculosis (TB)

According to the NHS, the most common symptoms of TB include a cough lasting more than three weeks, which may include coughing up mucus containing blood, exhaustion and fatigue and a high temperature or night sweats.

They also include a loss of appetite, weight loss and generally feeling under the weather.

If TB has spread to other parts of the body, symptoms can include swollen glands, body aches and pains, swollen joints and ankles, tummy or pelvic pain and constipation.

It could possibly include dark or cloudy urine, headaches, vomiting, confusion, stiff neck or a rash on the legs, face or other parts of the body.

A person can also contract TB without showing any symptoms which is called latent TB, however it can live in your body and come out when your immune system is weakened.

TB symptom are often confused with Covid-19 (Getty Stock Images)

While TB can still be life threatening if undetected and untreated, the UK Health and Security Agency is urging healthcare providers to look out for potential symptoms among people deemed to be more at risk of the illness, so treatment can be administered.

TB can be diagnosed using an X-ray, ultrasound, echocardiogram or CT scan of the chest, if it is believed to be in the lungs, and doctors may wish to take samples of mucus and even a biopsy of tissues, cells or fluid from the affected area.

People living in highly populated areas like London are believed to be most at risk, with 80 percent of cases in England being diagnosed among people not born in the UK.