WHO has revised its standard case definitions for TB and drug-resistant TB.

World TB Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the burden of tuberculosis worldwide and the status of TB prevention and control efforts. It is also an opportunity to mobilize political and social commitment for further progress.

Urgent need for US$ 1.6 billion a year in international financing to prevent spread of disease.

The document describes the early evidence on use of the tool – including research findings and modeling results – and provides algorithms for the management of people living with HIV and with presumptive TB.

People who use and inject illicit drugs are at high risk of contracting tuberculosis, whether or not they are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Studies conducted before and after the emergence of HIV infection show that, when compared with the general population, people who use illicit drugs have a higher risk not just of getting tuberculosis infection, but also of developing active disease.

WHO/Europe has established the European Tuberculosis Laboratory Initiative (ELI) to increase laboratory capacity to diagnose multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (M/XDR-TB) across WHO European Region, as part of a consolidated action plan for 2011–2015.

WHO warns global fight against TB now at a crossroads; Only 1 in 5 patients with multidrug resistant TB diagnosed; US$ 3 billion annual funding shortfall for epidemic response.

The toolkit is designed to help countries develop or strengthen their national response to drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Updated WHO guidance launched today scales up effective public health interventions to reduce TB deaths for people living with HIV.