Tuberculosis, historically known as the "white plague," has officially reclaimed its position as the world's deadliest infectious disease. After a brief period where COVID-19 held the title, international and domestic data confirm the resurgence of this ancient killer.
In the United States, the trend is particularly concerning for public health officials. While the nation maintains lower rates than many global regions, domestic cases have climbed steadily since 2020.
This shift reverses three decades of consistent decline in U.S. infection rates. Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for 2025 indicates that 10,260 cases were reported nationwide.
New York remains a significant focal point for the disease. The state recorded 967 cases last year alone, representing a substantial portion of the national total.
The resurgence was highlighted this week during a legal proceeding in Chicago. The individual accused of murdering 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman failed to appear for a detention hearing because he is currently undergoing treatment for the disease.
Experts warn that the actual number of infections may be higher than official reports suggest. TB symptoms, such as fever and respiratory distress, are frequently mistaken for the flu or RSV.
Public health experts emphasize that delayed diagnosis is a significant risk factor. The longer the infection remains untreated, the more it spreads and the higher the likelihood of developing antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance is a growing hurdle for modern medicine. In 2023, the CDC reported that 589 TB cases in the U.S. were resistant to at least one front-line medication.
Treatment for the disease is notoriously rigorous. Patients often require a combination of antibiotics for six to nine months to ensure the bacteria are fully eradicated from the body.
The CDC estimates that up to 13 million Americans are currently living with latent TB. While these individuals are not contagious, the infection can become active if the immune system weakens.
Globally, tuberculosis claims approximately 1.6 million lives every year. This toll currently exceeds the combined annual deaths attributed to HIV/AIDS and malaria, underscoring the persistence of the pathogen.