The “World’s Deadliest Disease” Can Be Cured, If Treated Early

It is the world’s deadliest infectious disease, yet many still dismiss it as “a disease of the past” or “just a cough”, a misconception health officials warn could be costing lives.

Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, remains a serious health concern despite low case numbers and accessible treatment.

Appearing on Open Your Eyes, Assistant Deputy Director of the HIV/TB Programme, Dr. Joshua Canul, said Belize records fewer than 100 cases each year. However, the risk persists, particularly among men aged 35 to 49.

He attributed this trend to differences in health-seeking behaviour between men, women and children.

TB is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs but can spread to other organs. It is transmitted through the air, and, if left untreated, one infected person can pass it on to between 15 and 18 others annually. Common symptoms include a persistent cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss lasting more than two weeks.

Dr. Karen Lewis-Bell of the Pan American Health Organization stressed that early detection is critical. With modern tools such as GeneXpert, results can be delivered within hours, allowing for faster treatment, reduced transmission, and early detection of drug resistance.

Globally, tuberculosis remains severe as “the world’s deadliest infectious disease”, Dr Lewis-Bell said, adding that despite that, “it is not the most infectious”, particularly when detected early.

“TB is one of the diseases that can be easily cured once it’s detected early,” Dr. Canul added.

Health officials say stigma remains a major barrier to tackling tuberculosis. The disease is often detected in patients with HIV because of their vulnerable immune systems, but this perception is misleading, they said.

Anyone with a weakened immune system can acquire the disease, and “if it is not treated properly, it can lead to death,” Dr. Lewis-Bell added.