Tuberculosis cases still rising in London, warn health chiefs

Health bosses today admitted they are failing to stem the spread of tuberculosis.

In some areas of the capital, as many as one in 1,000 people has the disease, the London Assembly heard.

New figures show 45 in every 100,000 people across London are sufferers and numbers are increasing. In 2007 the rate was 43 in every 100,000.

Dr Simon Tanner, London's director of public health, said: "This is not something we want to see happening. This is a disease that should not be around in the 21st century."

Dr Tanner told the Assembly's health and public services committee that a new drug-resistant strain was developing. But he insisted the NHS had an "action plan" to deal with the problem.

He added: "There is a very mixed picture across the capital. In some areas the rate is as high as 100, which means one in every 1,000 people will have TB." North London has higher rates of the disease than south, the official said.

The London Assembly heard that 80 per cent of people suffering from TB were born outside London and most of the sufferers are young men.

The drug-resistant form was developing among homeless people.

The TB problem comes as NHS London bosses are dealing with the outbreak of swine flu. London has the second highest rate of the virus in the country.

Some 153 more people were diagnosed yesterday, bringing the total in the capital to 681. There are 3,254 confirmed cases in the UK.

Dr Tanner said: "In London there is now sustained community transmission of swine flu."

He said GPs in London and the West Midlands - the two worst affected places - are now allowed to diagnose and treat patients without contacting the Health Protection Agency.

He added: "These figures have concentrated people's minds and a decision was made that these two areas would be treated in a different way."