World TB day: 40,000 infected by the disease everyday

“As many as 40,000 people are infected by the tuberculosis bacteria everyday, of which more than 5,000 people suffer the disease,” said Dr H M Virupaksha from the pulmonary medicine department of Mysore Medical College and Research Centre, here on Sunday.

He was speaking during world tuberculosis day celebrations organised by the department of health and family welfare.

With two persons dying every minute due to tuberculosis, the number of deaths due to the disease are on a rise. People should shed their beliefs that TB was a “curse”. Efficient techniques to cure people of the disease have been developed. The government has also  ensured  free treatment, he said.

Tuberculosis is a disease that has affected people from thousands of years. It is a misconception that the disease is genetic. It is spread by Microbacteria tuberculosis, he said.

“The disease can be detected easily by conducting routine tests. A patient can be cured within eight months, if administered strict medical regimen. If ignored, the disease could become fatal,” he said.

The department felicitated doctors during the occasion.

Mandya

World tuberculosis day was observed at Kala Mandir in Mandya. District sessions judge B Shivalingegowda advised that TB patients should not be alienated from society.
Giving a call to shed superstitions about the disease, he said that modern medicine had developed methods to completely cure the disease.
Hassan

Renowned mathematician Srinivas Ramanujam, English poet John Keats and several others had succumbed to the disease, said Dr Narayan, while giving a talk on the subject at Swabhiman Bhavan in Hassan.