Red Cross warns of deadly combination of HIV and tuberculosis
15 April 2002

The growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS is not only consuming tens of millions of lives; it is also diminishing the chances of controlling tuberculosis (TB), another deadly disease which threatens millions of lives around the world, warns the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

More than 50 European Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, meeting in Berlin from April 14 to 19, will be adopting new policies to tackle the problem head-on, such as developing new, comprehensive programmes which include monitoring adherence to treatment, appropriate food and social support and the involvement of partners, such as governments, NGO's and the World Health Organization (WHO), to make sure sufficient resources are available to make a real impact. "Today, all possible actors are needed to tackle the re-emerging epidemic of tuberculosis, fuelled by the HIV pandemic", underlines Terhi Heinasmaki, Senior Health Officer at the Federation's Secretariat in Geneva.

Some 80% of TB cases in the world are found in 22 countries. One of the worst-hit is Russia, with an incidence of 90,7 cases per 100,000 people in 2000 - twice the average rates in Europe. Some 30,000 people die of tuberculosis each year in Russia.

Although Africa and Asia account for the highest number of AIDS cases, the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe have the most rapidly growing HIV incidence in the world. Some 250,000 new cases of HIV infection were reported in Eastern Europe in 2001, according to UNAIDS. If this potentially lethal combination is not taken into account in the designing and implementation of new health programmes, it could spell death for millions of Europeans.

The links between HIV and TB are strong - with the body's immune system weakened when it is infected with the HIV virus, chances of catching - and not recovering from -TB are greatly increased. The risk of developing active TB rises from 30 to 50% with an HIV co-infection. Therefore, the relation between the two diseases must be taken into account when developing anti-tuberculosis programmes.

The only effective way to stop the spread of TB is to ensure medical treatment using internationally accepted methodologies and the full recovery of all patients, as they are the main source of infection. Tuberculosis is a highly contagious, airborne disease, spread by coughing and sneezing. Most of those infected with TB are at the same time the most vulnerable, and the poorest. This is why their they require social assistance - such as food - in addition to medical care. With its community-based network of volunteers and visiting nurses, the Red Cross is in a unique position to effectively monitor treatment and assist the most vulnerable patients, especially in their ambulatory treatments. TB is especially prevalent in penitentiary institutions and special measures to treat and protect prisoners from infection must also be taken.

HIV and TB are both stigmatized, require long-term health care and may require complicated expensive care. Communities need to be educated about both diseases, how to avoid infection, and how to fight discrimination. At the 6th European Regional Conference in Berlin, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will pool their collective experience in fighting tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS into a Europe-wide policy to avert a double catastrophe of millions of deaths from tuberculosis and from HIV/AIDS.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer Tel: + 41 79 217 33 45

Rita Plotnikova, Information Officer Tel: + 41 79 217 33 29

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.