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NEW DELHI, July 17 (Xinhua) – India’s Federal Ministry of Health said on Saturday that there was not enough scientific evidence to link COVID-19 to the increase in tuberculosis (TB ) in the country.
“Due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions, notifications of tuberculosis cases decreased by around 25% in 2020, but special efforts are being made to mitigate this impact through intensified case finding in the OPD circles as well as active case-finding campaigns in the community by all states, ”the ministry said.
“In addition, there is not enough evidence currently to suggest that there has been an increase in tuberculosis cases due to COVID-19 or due to increased case finding efforts. “
The ministry refuted local media reports alleging that a sudden increase in tuberculosis cases was observed in patients recently infected with COVID-19.
“It is specified that the tuberculosis screening for all COVID-19 positive patients and the COVID-19 screening for all diagnosed tuberculosis patients have been recommended by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. tuberculosis and COVID-19, as of August 2020, “the ministry said.
According to the ministry, the double morbidity of tuberculosis and COVID-19 may be further highlighted by the fact that the two diseases are known to be infectious and mainly attack the lungs, showing similar symptoms of cough, fever and difficulty breathing. , although tuberculosis has a longer incubation period and a slower onset of disease.
“Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can make an individual more likely to develop active tuberculosis because tuberculosis is an opportunistic infection like the black fungus,” the ministry said. Final element
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