The Bauchi State Agency for the Control HIV/AIDS, Leprosy, Tuberculosis and Malaria says people who smoke or drink much have a high risk of developing tuberculosis.
The executive chairman of the agency, Dr Mohammed Alkali Sambo, said this in Bauchi yesterday during the commemoration of the 2019 World Tuberculosis Day.
He added that persons with weakened immunity like HIV/AIDs, diabetes and cancer patients are also at high risk of contracting or developing tuberculosis.
He said: “Globally, seven countries account for 64 per cent of the total TB cases, with India leading the count, followed by Indonesia, china, Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria and South Africa. Nigeria ranks 7th among 30 TB high burden countries in the world, second highest in Africa”.
According to him, Nigeria is among the 10 countries accounting for 77 per cent of undetected tuberculosis cases in the world.