Cases of 'White Plague' Rise in US as Doctors Warn of 'Rebound Effect'

Tuberculosis cases have increased annually since the pandemic, straining healthcare systems.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:34pm by Ben Kaplan

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Tuberculosis (TB), also known as the 'white plague', has been on the rise in the U.S. since the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 10,600 cases confirmed in 2024 - the highest annual number since 2013. Experts attribute this increase to disruptions in TB surveillance and treatment programs during the pandemic, as well as a return to international travel and increased migration from countries where TB is more prevalent. The uptick has strained healthcare systems, with local and state public health TB programs becoming understaffed. While TB is both preventable and treatable, the disease can be fatal if left untreated.

Why it matters

The rise in tuberculosis cases is concerning, as the disease can be highly contagious and deadly if not properly treated. The disruption to TB surveillance and treatment programs during the pandemic has led to a 'rebound effect', with latent TB infections now activating and spreading. This has put a strain on the healthcare system, which must now work to identify and treat both active and latent TB cases to protect individual patients and the broader community.

The details

Tuberculosis (TB) gets its nickname 'the white plague' from the pale appearance of those affected with the disease. After a dip in 2020 due to the onset of COVID-19, cases of TB have increased every year since, reaching over 10,600 confirmed cases in 2024 - the highest annual number since 2013. This marks the third consecutive annual increase. While TB rates in the U.S. remain relatively low compared to the global average, the recent uptick has strained healthcare systems, with local and state public health TB programs becoming understaffed during the pandemic and not fully recovering.

  • In 2020, TB cases dipped likely due to underdiagnosis and reduced screenings during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Since 2021, TB cases have increased every year, with over 10,600 confirmed cases in 2024 - the highest annual number since 2013.

The players

Renuga Vivekanandan, M.D.

Professor at Creighton University School of Medicine and VP and CMO of CHI Health Physician Enterprise Midwest, board-certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases.

Masae Kawamura, M.D.

Former TB control director in San Francisco and a tuberculosis clinician, currently serves on the board of directors of Vital Strategies, a global public health organization.

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What they’re saying

“'The COVID-19 pandemic effectively disrupted TB surveillance and treatment programs across the country. What we're seeing now is largely a rebound effect – latent TB infections that went undetected or untreated during the pandemic are now activating.'”

— Renuga Vivekanandan, M.D., Professor at Creighton University School of Medicine and VP and CMO of CHI Health Physician Enterprise Midwest

“'TB can affect any organ of the body, but it causes disease in the lung in over 80% of cases. This is dangerous because it causes cough, the mechanism of airborne spread.'”

— Masae Kawamura, M.D., Former TB control director in San Francisco and a tuberculosis clinician

What’s next

Health officials and experts are urging people at higher risk for TB, including those born in or traveling frequently to high TB-burden countries, individuals living in crowded conditions, or those who are immunocompromised, to speak with their doctor about TB testing. Identifying and treating latent TB infections is crucial to protecting both individual patients and the broader community.

The takeaway

The rise in tuberculosis cases in the U.S. since the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for continued vigilance and investment in public health programs to detect, treat, and prevent the spread of this potentially deadly disease. The 'rebound effect' of undetected and untreated latent TB infections underscores the importance of maintaining robust TB surveillance and treatment efforts, even during public health crises.