Sri Lanka may have as many as 5,000 undiagnosed tuberculosis (TB) patients, according to Dr. Pramitha Shanthilatha, Director of the National Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases. 

Speaking at a conference at the Health Promotion Bureau yesterday (18) she revealed that last year, the country reported 8,726 TB cases.

Dr. Shanthilatha highlighted that most of these patients suffer from pulmonary tuberculosis, with approximately 57% capable of transmitting the disease to others. 

TB remains the leading cause of death among communicable diseases in Sri Lanka. Of the reported cases last year, 5,622 were men, with the highest number recorded in the Colombo District.

The official urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as a cough lasting more than two weeks, unexplained weight loss, mild fever, or loss of appetite to seek immediate medical attention at a respiratory disease clinic.