Portugal cuts tuberculosis cases by 32% but faces drug-resistant surge

Portugal has made significant progress in tackling tuberculosis over the past decade. New data for 2024 shows a 31.8% drop in incidence rates since 2015, alongside a sharp decline in deaths. However, challenges remain, particularly among migrant groups and in certain high-risk regions.

The country reported 4,315 treated cases of latent tuberculosis infection last year. Treatment success rates also improved, reaching 82.1% in 2024. Despite this progress, the average delay between symptom onset and starting treatment remained long, at 81 days.

Men accounted for 64.4% of all tuberculosis cases, while migrant populations faced a notification rate 2.7 times higher than the national average. Lisbon, the Tagus Valley, and the North region continued to bear the highest burden of infections. A concerning rise was seen in multidrug-resistant cases, with 36 reported in 2024—a 63.6% increase from the previous year. However, deaths from the disease fell to 50, marking a nearly 70% reduction since 2015.

The latest figures highlight both achievements and ongoing struggles in Portugal's fight against tuberculosis. While treatment success and survival rates have improved, rising drug resistance and delays in care present persistent challenges. Health authorities continue to focus on high-risk groups and regions to further reduce infections.