World Tuberculosis Day
24 March
Background
World TB Day raises awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease. One-third of the world's population is currently infected with TB. The Stop TB Partnership, a network of organizations and countries fighting TB, organizes the Day to highlight the scope of the disease and how to prevent and cure it.
The annual event on 24 March marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch detected the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus. This was a first step towards diagnosing and curing tuberculosis. WHO is working to cut TB prevalence rates and deaths by half by 2015.
Latest news and press releases
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Western Pacific on track to achieve key tuberculosis target
15 November 2012 -
Banning serological test kits to fight drug-resistant tuberculosis
14 August 2012 -
WHO urges Member States to accelerate fight against TB
24 March 2012 -
TB Control in Papua New Guinea
17 July 2011 -
WHO and its partners in pledge on TB
12 October 2010