New York officials report lowest levels of TB

Tuberculosis is at the lowest levels ever recorded in New York, according to its Health department.

Officials have reported 914 cases in 2007, which is down four per cent from 2006. The figures are down 76 per cent from the early 1990s where extremely high levels were seen in the city.

Despite the overall drop in figures, the number of TB cases in Manhattan increased by 11 per cent, to 182 cases in 2007. City officials have blamed an "outbreak" of TB in Harlem for the increase.

Dr Thomas Frieden, the city's health commissioner, said in a statement: "Many challenges remain, especially among New York City's immigrant communities."

Figures from the health department say that 71 per cent of new cases in 2007 are from immigrant New Yorkers.

They also reported that most of the cases are from people that come from countries with high rates of TB, such as China, Mexico and Ecuador.

Dr Frieden spoke about the prevention of TB and the care and treatment which can be given in centres "and given without any questions about immigration status".