Strengthening TB surveillance

TB surveillance data have been globally recognized as a fundamental data source for assessing the disease burden and epidemiological trends of TB.  WHO’s policy for measuring TB disease burden emphasizes the importance of quality surveillance with the ultimate goal of measuring TB incidence directly from TB case notifications. WHO collects TB surveillance data annually from more than 200 countries and publishes the epidemiological situation of TB at the country, regional and global levels. 

In the Western Pacific Region, many countries produce annual TB reports that include analyses at the national and subnational levels. Several high-burden countries have published in-depth epidemiological assessments. Six out of seven high-burden countries have conducted at least one national TB prevalence survey. As of 2021, more than 25 countries and areas out of the 37 in the Region have nationwide case-based electronic recording and reporting systems for TB. Using WHO’s Standards and benchmarks for tuberculosis surveillance and vital registration systems, assessments have been conducted in several countries. 

WHO Western Pacific Regional Office provides technical support to countries in conducting periodic epidemiological surveys and reviews for TB with a focus on seven countries with a high burden of TB. The Regional Office also supports countries to perform in-depth analysis of national and subnational TB surveillance data through various workshops and trainings.