Argentina sees record rise in tuberculosis cases in 2026

Argentina has reported a sharp increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases, with 6,482 notifications recorded up to week 22 of 2026 – a rise of 133 cases compared with the same period in 2025 and a 71.6 % increase since 2020, marking the highest point in the series. The surge is concentrated in the Centro, Nordeste Argentino (NEA) and Cuyo regions, with the largest absolute gains in Buenos Aires (+186 cases) and Santa Fe (+115). Provinces showing the steepest percentage jumps include Misiones (+44.9 %), Mendoza (+42.6 %), Entre Ríos (+38.8 %), Santiago del Estero (+34.3 %) and Santa Fe (+32.9 %). In 2025 the country logged 17,283 TB cases, a rate of 37.3 per 100 000 inhabitants; 66 % of all cases were in the city and province of Buenos Aires. Health authorities have responded by distributing 40,500 molecular‑test cartridges and 2,870 PPD doses to strengthen diagnosis, and by authorising 546 second‑line treatments for drug‑resistant TB. The national bulletin notes that TB still causes a death roughly every seven hours, underscoring the urgency of continued surveillance and treatment adherence.