So Luxembourg is prepared for an increase in tuberculosis

A stubborn cough, light fever and night sweating initially seem harmless. But there can be serious infectious disease behind these signs: tuberculosis. It is not only widespread in developing countries – over 170,000 new cases were also registered in Europe last year, with increasing trends. In 2023, a total of 48 people suffered from tuberculosis in Luxembourg.

According to development experts, the reduction of US aid in the fight against various infectious diseases could also have consequences for tuberculosis attachment figures in European countries. After all, the USA has so far contributed around a third of the funds for the global fund to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

The topic of conversation in parliament

Against this background, the Luxembourg MP Sven Clement from the pirates at the end of February made a parliamentary request to Minister of Health Martine Deprez. Among other things, he wanted to know how Luxembourg prepared for future new infections that originate in third countries that are no longer supported by US health programs. In addition, the politician asked about potential emergency plans at national or EU level to mobilize additional medical resources in the event of a global increase in the spread of resistant tuberculosis.

« The monitoring of tuberculosis infections has already been established, so that situations as described by the honorable deputy can be handled accordingly, » is now the respective response from Health Minister Martine Deprez. According to the official announcement of March 27, the following procedures come into play:

According to the law on the notification of various diseases as part of the protection of public health, both doctors and laboratories who carry out medical analyzes are obliged to report infectious diseases such as tuberculosis within a day at the health directorate.

The application for a residence permit for people from third countries (not EU member states, including the countries affected by the US measures) is subject to a mandatory medical examination. « This includes both a general medical examination and a screening on tuberculosis, » said the Ministry. A similar inspection is intended for people who come to Luxembourg as so -called “applicants for international protection”.

Situation « to keep satisfactorily under control »

In 2023, 1,615 positive Igra tests (Interferon Gamma Release Assay) were reported, which references to latent tuberculosis infections. « As mentioned above, this test is necessary for people from third countries who apply for a residence permit or international protection. Persons who are infected with tuberculosis (IGRA-positive) have a risk of about 5 to 10 percent to develop an active illness within the years after infection or with a slight weakening of the immune system. »

As far as active tuberculosis cases are concerned, 46 cases were reported to the health directorate in 2023. « In this context, the World Health Organization (WHO) points out that budget cuts in UNAIDS could have significant effects on the programs to combat tuberculosis – especially in poor countries such as in Africa, Southeast Asia and the western Pacific region. It is therefore important to continue to monitor this disease, » it continues.

This monitoring is part of the tasks of the health directorate, in particular the department for health inspection, as part of the protection of public health and is organized and managed accordingly.

As for emergency plans, a law on public health is currently being developed. « In the meantime, the health directorate is working on an operational plan for all actors who covers epidemic and biological risks. »

At the moment, however, the tuberculosis incidence in Luxembourg is low and the current measures would be sufficient to keep the situation under satisfactory control, the minister concludes.