This finding helps explain why TB cases often increase in indoor spaces, such as prisons, and the same is true for Covid.
In addition, the study also suggested that measures used to prevent COVID transmission such as masks, open windows or doors are important in limiting TB.
TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which usually attacks the lungs.
According to the World Health Organization’s 2021 Global TB report, which came out last week, TB is the world’s deadliest infectious disease after corona, causing more than 1.5 million deaths in 2020.
The WHO report says that the corona has set back progress made on TB as the pandemic disrupted access to healthcare and supplies around the world. In 2020, 5.8 million people were diagnosed with TB, but the WHO estimates that around 10 million people were actually infected.