Iran reports over 7,000 tuberculosis cases, partly fueled by dust storms

More than 7,000 tuberculosis cases were reported across Iran last year, according to the Ministry of Health, with the highest concentrations in the provinces of Sistan-Baluchistan in the southeast and Golestan in the northeast.

Speaking to the semi-official ILNA news agency, the head of the Ministry’s Tuberculosis and Leprosy Division, Mahshid Nasehi, noted that other provinces with significant case numbers included Gilan, Khuzestan, Khorasan Razavi, Qom, and Yazd.

Nasehi also stated that there is no province without reported tuberculosis cases and added that, in Tehran province, the incidence rate of tuberculosis relative to the population is higher than the national average.

The official noted that among the 7,261 identified cases, 44% were women, and 25% were non-Iranians. Pulmonary tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs, was the most common form, accounting for over 80% of all cases.

At Zabol University of Medical Sciences in Sistan-Baluchistan, the program head reported in August that dust storms in the Sistan region are contributing to an increase in serious diseases, including tuberculosis.

Higher tuberculosis rates, like those in Sistan-Baluchistan and Golestan, are usually driven by a combination of factors. Proximity to high-tuberculosis countries increases exposure through cross-border movement, while limited healthcare access delays diagnosis and treatment. Environmental challenges, such as frequent dust storms, weaken respiratory health, making people more vulnerable. Socioeconomic factors, including poverty and overcrowded living conditions, further facilitate its spread.

Nasehi emphasized Iran’s overall relative success in managing the disease but cautioned that the high rates in neighboring countries pose a risk that could potentially compromise these achievements.

According to World Health Organization estimates, Iran’s annual tuberculosis incidence stands at 11 cases per 100,000 people, equating to roughly 10,000 new cases each year.

In comparison, Pakistan reports 258 cases per 100,000 people (around 600,000 cases annually), while Afghanistan reports 185 cases per 100,000 (approximately 76,000 cases per year).

Tuberculosis, a contagious infectious disease, can affect many parts of the body, including the bones, joints, brain, kidneys, and skin. However, it most commonly targets the lungs due to the bacterium's high need for oxygen. It primarily spreads through the air, making it possible for anyone to contract the disease simply by inhaling airborne particles.

In Western countries, tuberculosis rates are significantly lower than in many parts of Asia and Africa. The highest incidence in the West is generally seen in countries with higher rates of immigration from tuberculosis-endemic regions or where certain vulnerable populations – those with HIV or in close living quarters like homeless shelters and prisons) have higher exposure risks.

Treating drug-resistant tuberculosis, Nasehi said, is far more challenging and costly than treating drug-sensitive tuberculosis.

Drug-sensitive tuberculosis treatment costs around 1 million tomans with a high recovery rate (over 95%) and lasts about six months. In contrast, drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment is significantly more expensive at approximately 500 million tomans, has a lower recovery rate (around 60%), and requires 18 to 24 months of treatment.

She emphasized that incomplete or irregular treatment can lead to drug resistance, a risk that’s heightened by the lengthy treatment period, which makes adherence more difficult. The Ministry of Health says it provides tuberculosis medications free of charge through Iran’s national healthcare system.

In Iran, October 15 is designated as National Tuberculosis Awareness Day.