As of 2024, 161,569 cases of new and recurrent tuberculosis were registered in 51 countries of the region, which is only 79% of the estimated number of cases. WHO estimates that the total number of patients in the region reaches about 204,000.
The main problem remains insufficient diagnosis: patients whose disease is not detected in time continue to spread the infection and face more severe forms of the disease.
The situation in the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU/EEA) also raises serious concerns. In 2024, 38,249 cases of tuberculosis were registered; however, every fifth patient who started treatment does not undergo a follow-up examination after a year. This is especially true for children under 15 years old.
Despite an overall decrease in morbidity and mortality by 39% and 49%, respectively, since 2015, the region significantly lags behind the target indicators of the "End Tuberculosis" Strategy. In the EU/EEA, progress is even slower: morbidity has decreased by 33%, while mortality has only decreased by 17%.
The indicators in Europe significantly exceed global averages: 23% of new cases in the region are multidrug-resistant (compared to 3.2% globally), and among patients previously treated for tuberculosis, resistance is observed in 51% of cases (while the global figure is 16%). This makes the region one of the most problematic in the world.
The report also points to 23,000 cases of co-infection with tuberculosis and HIV, with 80% of these registered in Russia and Ukraine. Despite a high level of testing, coverage of antiretroviral therapy remains below target values.
The situation in correctional facilities is particularly alarming, where the incidence rate reaches 121.6 cases per 100,000 people — which is 13 times higher than the average rates for the region.
Additionally, in several European countries, the incidence of tuberculosis among children under four years old exceeds 10 cases per 100,000, indicating persistent disparities in the spread of the disease within the region.
