Tuberculosis - A Real Threat

Tuberculosis - A Real Threat

Between new flare-ups of post-war infections in older people, and refugees coming from countries where the disease is rife, the number of cases is rising: More than 100 years after Robert Koch's discovery of tuberculosis, the battle against the illness begins anew.

Here in Germany it looked to have been wiped out - but now tuberculosis is returning with a vengeance. According to the World Health Organization, there are ten million new cases reported globally per year. In Eastern European countries alone that figure is ten thousand - tuberculosis is already at the gates of Europe.

Tourists and business travelers are seeking help, but so too are older people, among whom post-war infections are flaring up anew. Refugees, in whose homelands tuberculosis is rife, must be examined and treated where necessary. How are the hospitals and health authorities coping with the challenges? How are those affected dealing with the exhausting treatments? More than 100 years after Robert Koch's discovery of tuberculosis, the battle against the illness begins anew.