Regional profile

In 2010, the estimated number of prevalent TB cases in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region was 1 000 000 (670 000–1 500 000). The estimated number of incident TB cases in 2010 was 650 000 (580 000–730 000), accounting for 7% of the global TB burden.

Nine countries contribute 95% of the TB burden in the Region in 2010. These are Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudan, Morocco, Somalia, Iraq, Egypt, Islamic Republic of Iran and Yemen. Pakistan alone shoulders 61% the TB burden of the Region.

Ten countries had reduced their TB burden to rates below 25 per 100 000 population in 2010, compared to only one country in 1990. The estimated number of TB deaths in 2010 was 95 000 (74 000–120 000).

The burden of multi-drug resistant TB

The proportion of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases accounted for 3.4% and 21% of new and previously treated TB cases in 2010, respectively. The total number of estimated MDR-TB cases was 14 000 in 2010. Of these, 829 were notified in 2010, a detection rate of 5.9%.

Pakistan alone shoulders 69% of the regional MDR-TB burden, with 9700 estimated MDR-TB cases in 2010. The proportions of MDR-TB cases in Pakistan were comparable to regional rates (3.4% and 21% among new and previously treated cases, respectively). Pakistan ranks fourth among the 27 high MDR-TB burden countries. Table 1 shows the estimated proportion of MDR-TB cases among new and previously-treated TB cases in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2010.

Table 1. Estimated proportion of MDR-TB cases among new and previously-treated TB cases in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2010

Estimated proportion of TB cases that have MDR-TB, 27 high MDR-TB burden countries and WHO regions

Number of cases of MDR-TB estimated, notified and expected to be treated, 27 high MDR-TB burden countries and WHO regions

Burden of TB/HIV

The estimated number of TB/HIV cases was 12 000 in 2010. The estimated prevalence of HIV among new TB patients ranged from 8%–14% in Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti and Lebanon. The remaining countries report low rates.

Case notification

A total of 421 384 TB cases were notified in 2010. Of these, 168 563 were new sputum smear-positive. The notification rate in the 7 high burden countries of the Region is given below (latest reported estimated incidence of close to or higher than 100/100 000 in 2010): Afghanistan, Pakistan, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq and Morocco.

Notification rate in the 7 high burden countries of the Region.

Achievement of the case detection and treatment success rate targets

In 2010, The Region detected 63% of estimated TB cases and treated successfully 88% of the 2009 cohort of sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB .

Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of halving prevalence and mortality by 2015 compared to the baseline in 1990

Among the intermediate and low burden countries of the Region, 10 countries had halved the prevalence and/or the mortality rates in 2010. The remaining countries vary in their progress towards the targets.

Afghanistan reported a slower decline in prevalence and mortality rates compared to the other high burden countries of the Region, while Djibouti reported an increase in prevalence and mortality rates.

However, all countries have adopted the expanded Stop TB Strategy and have made progress in its implementation.

Global tuberculosis control 2011

TB data