Portugal slashes tuberculosis deaths by 70% but faces drug-resistant surge

Portugal has made significant progress in fighting tuberculosis, with deaths dropping by nearly 70% since 2015. The country reported just 50 fatalities from the disease in 2024, alongside a 31.8% fall in overall cases over the same period. However, challenges remain, particularly with rising drug-resistant strains and delays in treatment initiation.

The latest figures show that men make up 64.4% of all tuberculosis cases in Portugal. The disease continues to hit certain regions harder, with Lisbon, the Tagus Valley, and the North region recording the highest numbers. Migrant communities also face a disproportionate burden, with notification rates 2.7 times above the national average.

In 2024, Portugal treated 4,315 cases of latent tuberculosis infection. The treatment success rate for active cases reached 82.1%, reflecting improvements in care. Yet, the average time from symptom onset to starting treatment still stands at 81 days. The National Tuberculosis Control Program has introduced faster diagnostic methods, mobile screening in high-risk areas, and directly observed therapy (DOT) to speed up care. Integrated care centres now help reduce delays, though progress varies across regions. Despite these efforts, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases rose sharply in 2024, jumping 63.6% to 36 reported cases. Surveillance data shows a steady decline in overall incidence since 2015. However, the recent surge in drug-resistant strains highlights the need for continued vigilance and targeted interventions.

Portugal's tuberculosis death rate has fallen dramatically, and treatment success has improved. But the rise in drug-resistant cases and persistent delays in diagnosis and treatment pose ongoing challenges. Health authorities continue to monitor regional differences while expanding screening and care programs to address the disease's unequal impact.