What is 'White Plague'? Why this disease - deadlier than COVID - is rising in the US; Nearly 1,000 cases reported in New York alone; Check symptoms and treatment

The 'White Plague' is a historical term for Tuberculosis (TB), a contagious bacterial infection that primarily targets the lungs. The name dates back centuries, when sufferers often appeared pale and physically weakened. Despite medical advances, TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, even surpassing COVID-19 in overall long-term fatalities. Today, this ancient illness is making a concerning return. After briefly falling behind COVID-19 during the pandemic years, TB once again became the leading infectious killer globally in 2023. According to a New York Post report, the resurgence is also being felt in the United States. While national rates are still relatively low, reported cases have been gradually increasing since 2020 - reversing nearly three decades of steady progress and raising fresh public health concerns.

According to New York Post, provisional figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 10,260 cases of Tuberculosis were reported across the United States in 2025, with a striking 967 cases recorded in New York alone. However, the true number may be higher. TB symptoms are often confused with common respiratory illnesses such as the flu or RSV, leading to missed diagnoses or delays in treatment.

Health experts warn this creates a serious risk. When TB goes undetected for longer periods, it has more opportunity to spread. At the same time, delayed or incomplete treatment increases the chances of the bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics, making the disease significantly harder to cure. It is a contagious infection that mainly affects the lungs but can also impact the kidneys, spine, or brain. It spreads through airborne bacteria droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. However, not everyone infected develops symptoms or becomes capable of transmitting the disease.


According to New York Post, globally, Tuberculosis claims about 1.6 million lives every year - exceeding the combined death toll from HIV/AIDS and Malaria.

SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS

According to CDC, symptoms of active TB depend on which part of the body is affected. Common signs include fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, and a reduced appetite, New York Post reported. When the infection targets the lungs - the most frequent form - symptoms tend to appear slowly and worsen over time. People may experience a long-lasting cough, chest discomfort, and in more severe cases, coughing up blood or mucus.

Tuberculosis is treatable with antibiotics, but the process is more demanding than for most infections. Patients usually need a combination of drugs taken consistently for six to nine months to completely eliminate the bacteria and prevent relapse or resistance. In the US, the strongest safeguard is catching Tuberculosis early. Detecting and treating latent infections before they progress can prevent the disease from becoming active - and spreading to others.