UNIVERSITY Hospitals Dorset has had one of the biggest increases in tuberculosis cases in the UK, studies reveal.

There was a 200 per cent increase of tuberculosis cases at UHD between 2019 and 2023.

A total of 45 cases were reported at UHD in 2023, compared to just 15 in 2019.

Health experts at NowPatient submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to NHS trusts across the country to reveal which areas have seen the biggest increase in the disease.

UHD came third out of the top 10 NHS trusts with the biggest increase in tuberculosis cases.

The trust is comprised of three hospitals; the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Poole Hospital and Christchurch Hospital

Kettering General Hospital came first with 61 reported cases in 2023, a 238.9 per cent increase on its 18 cases in 2019.

Navin Khosla, pharmacist at NowPatient, said: “Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection that usually affects the lungs. Antibiotics can be given for treatment and if left untreated can become serious. A vaccine also helps protect some people who may be at risk of TB.

Symptoms of tuberculosis include a cough that lasts more than three weeks, fatigue, high temperature or night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss and general unwellness.

Navin added: “If you have any of these symptoms, keep losing weight without a diet or exercise change, or you’ve spent a lot of time with someone who has tuberculosis and has symptoms, then you should see your GP straight away."