Today is World Tuberculosis Day.World Tuberculosis Day

Untill the year 1882 one in seven of the world’s people were dying of tuberculosis. Then, a German physician, Robert Koch, discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus. Today’s date commemorates that day.

Currently, one-third of the world’s population is infected with TB. However, thanks to Robert Koch, there now are effective ways of treating the infection. Unfortunately, this cure  isn’t available to everyone, and approximately 1.7 million people still die of tuberculosis every year.

This year’s theme for World TB Day is the question: how can African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP Countries) strengthen each other and fight together against tuberculosis. World’s Healthy Organization (WHO) and Stop TB Partnership both support this day.