The number of cases of serious forms of tuberculosis, including drug-resistant tuberculosis, has increased. Contacted by IPN, the director of the Municipal Hospital of Phtysiopulmonology Maria Cetulean said that the annual rate of deaths caused by this disease is 12 people per 100,000. In the municipality of Chisinau, there are 1,200 persons with tuberculosis who are under supervision, but the real number of persons suffering from this disease is higher as many of them didn’t see a doctor.

Tuberculosis is spread through the air when a person with untreated pulmonary TB coughs or sneezes. Prolonged exposure to a person with untreated TB usually is necessary for infection to occur. Tuberculosis can affect anyone of any age. People with weakened immune systems are at increased risk.

Vaccination is a method of preventing the disease. “The immunized persons will develop a light form if they get infected,” said Maria Cetulean. Events to raise awareness of TV and promote a healthy lifestyle are taking place in the municipality of Chisinau this week. About 4,000 news cases of tuberculosis were reported in 2012.

According to a communiqué from the Health Development Center “Afi”, 8 million people get tuberculosis annually worldwide. This is 1 case per 4 seconds. Every 2 seconds, a child dies of tuberculosis. Each infected person can infect 10-15 persons, the family, relatives and friends being more at risk.