WHO revises upwards estimated number of TB deaths associated with HIV

The World Health Organization said this week that more than 450 000 of the people who died from tuberculosis in 2007 were infected with HIV, more than double the estimated global total of 200 000 in 2006.

But it attributed the increase mainly to a big rise in testing for HIV among people being treated for tuberculosis, particularly in Africa.

“These findings point to an urgent need . . . to test for HIV in all patients with TB in order to provide prevention, treatment, and care,” said Margaret Chan, WHO’s director general.

“Countries can only do that through stronger collaboration programmes and stronger health systems that address both diseases,” …