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Celebrate World Tuberculosis Day on March 24 by raising awareness of this serious global health issue! This day was first observed in 1982 to commemorate the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is the bacteria responsible for causing TB. Every year now, people around the world come together to spread knowledge about preventing and treating this disease that still affects millions annually.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1882</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Discovery of Tuberculosis Bacteria</div><div class='timeline-text'>Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, on March 24, 1882.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1921</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>BCG Vaccine Developed</div><div class='timeline-text'>The BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine, the most widely used tuberculosis vaccine, was first used in humans in 1921.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1944</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Streptomycin Invented</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first effective antibiotic against tuberculosis, streptomycin, was discovered in 1944 and became widely available by late 1940s.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1982</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Centenary of TB Bacteria Discovery</div><div class='timeline-text'>One hundred years after Dr. Koch's announcement, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease proposed to recognize March 24 as an annual day to raise awareness about TB.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>World TB Day Initiated</div><div class='timeline-text'>The World Health Organization (WHO) joined with the IUATLD and other organizations to promote World TB Day starting from 1996.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First UN High-Level Meeting on TB</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations holds its first high-level meeting on TB, recognizing it as a global health priority and committing to end the epidemic by 2030.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to research and learn about the history of tuberculosis, the current status of the disease, and the steps that can be taken to prevent it.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Raise awareness</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spread the word on social media, host a fundraising event, or volunteer with an organization that is fighting against tuberculosis.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a non-profit that is dedicated to fighting TB and consider making a donation to help fund research, treatments, and programs.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend an event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Look up any local events that are being held in honor of World Tuberculosis Day in your area, such as panel discussions or educational seminars.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Advocate for change</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Write letters or emails to your representatives asking them to support initiatives that work towards eradicating TB.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>To raise awareness & understanding</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Tuberculosis Day is a day of advocacy, education and commemoration for the millions of people affected by tuberculosis (TB) around the world. The day helps to remind us all that TB continues to be a global health emergency and is something we should never take lightly or ignore.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>To support those living with TB</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Tuberculosis is a serious illness that can cause severe health complications if not treated properly and promptly. On World Tuberculosis Day, we recognize the individuals living with TB who are struggling with its effects. We also honor the healthcare providers who work tirelessly to diagnose, treat and support their patients in overcoming this disease.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>To push for accelerated action</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Tuberculosis Day serves as a reminder that despite all our efforts to eradicate it, there remains much more work to be done. It’s an opportunity for governments, health organizations and advocates alike to come together, share best practices and collaborate on ways to accelerate access to TB care, reduce infection rates and increase knowledge about this preventable disease.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>TB is the Leading Infectious Killer Globally</h3><p class='facts-text'>According to the WHO, in 2020, TB was the leading infectious killer worldwide, outranking even HIV/AIDS.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>One-fourth of the World's Population is Infected With TB Bacteria</h3><p class='facts-text'>It's estimated that about 1.7 billion people globally, which is around 25% of the world population, carry a latent TB infection. Not all infected will develop the disease, however, they are at risk.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>MDR-TB: A Modern Threat</h3><p class='facts-text'>Emergence of Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) threatens progress made against the disease. MDR-TB does not respond to the most powerful first-line anti-TB drugs, making treatment complex and success rate lower.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Children Bear a Significant Burden</h3><p class='facts-text'>In 2020, an estimated one million children became ill with TB and 230 000 children died of TB (including children with HIV associated TB).</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>End TB Strategy Aims to End the Global TB Epidemic</h3><p class='facts-text'>Under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the WHO has launched the End TB Strategy aiming to end the global TB epidemic, with targets to reduce TB deaths by 90% and to cut new cases by 80% between 2015 and 2030.</p></div></div>
World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated on March 24 every year. In 2024, World Tuberculosis Day will occur on a Sunday.
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Mar 24
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2024
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Mar 24
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Mar 24
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