Iran reports over 7,000 cases of tuberculosis, fueled in part by dust storms

According to the Health Ministry, more than 7,000 cases of tuberculosis were reported across Iran last year, with the highest concentrations in the provinces of Sistan-Baluchestan 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 department, Mahshid Nasehi, noted that Gilan, Khuzestan, Khorasan Razavi, Qom and Yazd were other provinces with significant numbers of cases.

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

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

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

Higher rates of tuberculosis, such as in Sistan-Baluchistan and Golestan, are usually due to a combination of factors. Proximity to countries with a high risk of tuberculosis increases exposure to cross-border migration, while limited access to healthcare delays diagnosis and treatment. Environmental challenges such as frequent dust storms weaken respiratory health and make people more vulnerable. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty and overcrowded living conditions also promote the spread.

Nasehi highlighted Iran’s overall relative success in combating the disease, but warned that high rates in neighboring countries pose a risk that could potentially jeopardize those successes.

The World Health Organization estimates that the annual incidence of tuberculosis in Iran is 11 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, which corresponds to about 10,000 new cases per year.

In comparison, Pakistan reports 258 cases per 100,000 population (approximately 600,000 cases per year), 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 bones, joints, brain, kidneys and skin. However, due to the bacterium’s high oxygen requirement, it most commonly attacks the lungs. It spreads primarily through the air, so anyone can become infected with 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 areas or where certain vulnerable populations (e.g., those infected with HIV or in crowded neighborhoods such as homeless shelters and prisons) are at higher risk of exposure.

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

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

She emphasized that incomplete or irregular treatment can lead to drug resistance, a risk that is increased by the long duration of treatment and complicates adherence. The Ministry of Health says it provides tuberculosis drugs free of charge through Iran’s national health system.

In Iran, October 15 is declared National Tuberculosis Awareness Day.